A picture's worth a thousand words

They say a picture's worth a thousand words. Today photography has been on my mind. Maybe you've noticed, maybe you haven't, but I just want to say photography is so dear to my heart. I love being able to capture a moment in time forever.I love being able to take something not always noticed by people, and bring it into view. I simply adore being able to take the people whom I love, with me wherever I go, thanks to a plain old photography.

And most of all, I love the fact that any message, emotion, and event in life can be portrayed through a simple photograph to be remembered forever.

My motivation

I know I haven't been a very dedicated and committed blogger...at all. In fact, a friend of mine has been telling me it's about time I head back and blog (yes, you know who you are). Everytime I tell her: 'Sure, soon.' And then "soon" comes way too quickly and I don't get around to it or whatever. Mostly I really can't get around to it. And when I do get time, I don't know what to write. I really have no clue.

But today I just decided to wing it and write. (It's type, actually...) What will I write about? Ah, yes. I know. What motivates me.

So,
What motivates me to be who I am?
What motivates me to take a stand against wrong?
What motivates me to get up every day?
What motivates me to work hard so I can live to my full potential?
And, most importantly, what motivates me to really live?

The answer is simple.

God motivates me.

Let God be your motivation to get up and enjoy every day,
and let His awesome love inspire you  a m a z i n g l y  :)

(I know I am...)

A Chapter Closed

What do you do when you finish a chapter in a good book? You read on. It's the same in real life: when one "chapter" of your life comes to an end, you live on.
The day after tomorrow, a 5-year long chapter of my life comes to an end. I can't say that I'm very sad about leaving what has become my home over the past few years, because I'm more excited to see what lies ahead! But tonight, as I was taking pictures and cards off my door, I couldn't help feeling a twinge of sadness. This chapter of my life, which I'm now leaving behind, has been the most exciting and awesome part of my life. But, although it's going to be hard, I'm ready to move on, and I'm ready to follow God's plan for my life. Once again, things are shifting around...but I can't say it's a bad move.

As scary and exciting as the days ahead seem, I have total peace that everything will be just fine because I know for sure that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose [Romans 8:28]. Let the adventure begin!

xx

Just...because.

I have been very scarce on this blog for a while now [ja, ja...apologies, apologies...]. So, I thought, why not post some photos?

So here are a couple of my favourite shots from a visit to a place I simply adore... the KwaZulu-Natal ♥ 

 just because :)

Raw talent in action

And lastly...
Ballito, making me long for a good board and some time on my hands...
xx

It's a new year, it's a new look!

 It's 2013. It's already February. It's been [almost] a year since I started this blog.It's time for some change, people! So it's very obvious to see that I have given my blog a bit of a... face-lift...I hope you recognize it!  ;)

Over the past few weeks I scoured tons and tons of blogs, (I'll post links of my favourites soon) and I grew tired of my blog's looks. It felt so worn-out and lame in contrast to all the fantastic designs the other blogs had. It was all fresh and modern, and I got excited reading them, but going back to my blog, there was nothing. Nothing. As in: I didn't feel any excitement for it anymore. No enthusiasm and ideas for new posts...Nada. I saw no LIFE in it! :(

So. Fast forward a few days later, and I've finally succeeded in getting my blog to inspire me again. Where I looked at it previously, thinking, "Ugh...", I know look at it...and smile.

I hope you like it too!

Check That off my Bucket-List...

 I don't know whether you have picked it up through my past blog posts...but I have wanted to learn how to surf for a relatively long, long time. I love surf photography (as much as I love photography as a whole) and I l o v e the ocean. I think the ocean is one of God's most awesome creations--scary as it can be at times.  But during the vacation I was on for the bulk of the month of January, I learned to surf! Which was like, the highlight of my holiday...and probably an experience I will never forget.

Yes, I do admit that I still need a LOT of improvement when it comes to surfing, but during the roughly 5 hours that I have surfed in my life now (facepalm...what?? only 5 hours?! I rest my case.) I learned a couple of great lessons which apply to life outside the water. The most important lesson of which was perseverance. After about 2 hours trying to surf, I was so exhausted that I couldn't even push myself up from the board. The waves got rough and hard to move through, and in my opinion there was a lack of really good waves to "surf." I was aiming for better waves than those miniature little "foamies" that kept pestering me... But even though those waves were small, they packed some punch! I was so tired of lifting my board continually and not getting a chance to surf while others around me were getting better with each wave I [also] missed. But I remembered just when I felt like giving up that I had to persevere and, most importantly, focus on having fun (as our instructor had pointed out very clearly at the start of the lesson) and not on the others' surfing. Just then the right wave came and I got onto my board, and stood for the first time. This hit home because in any tough situation the key to conquering it is not in letting yourself stay down, or worse: bail out, but the key is in pushing forward while trusting God to give you strength to do it, because most of the times there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[Another thing I learnt--of course--was that surfing doesn't come easy, especially for those less fit than others... For 4 days (or was it more?) I felt every muscle in my body ache--it felt like the aches were actually working through one muscle after the other, so I was limping a lot. My legs also felt as if they were sweltering and pounding (a.k.a. bad sunburn, so a top tip for anyone wanting to surf is: cover yourself with sunscreen until you look like a snowman), and I had bruises all over the place. However, it felt good to know that all these ridiculous aches and stuff were for a worthwhile cause.]

Heading out for the 1st time & not knowing what we were letting ourselves in for...

And the next day we went back, immense pain and all, because the surfing bug had bitten us...

End of Year Syndrome

Have you ever had a feeling where you feel sort of restless inside, but don't know what it's for? Like it's an anticipation for something exciting to happen soon, but yet you have no clue why you even have the feeling...  For a while now I've had this feeling. and then at the same time I do want some change in my life--for the better, of course--not that I need it so badly, but I just want to experience something different for a change. Repeat. For the better... Because so many people are so desperate for change in their lives that they seek new experiences in all the wrong places. That's NOT what I want; I want something uplifting, maybe so effective that it's life-changing. I suppose it's because I realize that 2013 has a lot in store for me, and there's also the fact that my vacation is near and you never know what to expect--life is an adventure! Both are definitely factors. But, plainly put, I am yearning for something new, because for so long now it's just been the same routine over and over. And this excitement isn't helping. Because it's making it very hard for me to concentrate on the tasks I have to get done before I can kick off my shoes and just relax. 

So...after writing this long post...I realize I have a typical case of what I now call "End of Year Syndrome." I think a lot of people get this. Isn't it so obvious? Do you have it too? The year is coming to an end, and I'm so excited for the new experiences that lie ahead that I'm all mixed up. My ability to keep my excitement in tow, my concentration, and even my work ethic: all gone with the wind. Therefore, I have just diagnosed myself with End of Year Syndrome. If you are experiencing the same things, I have just the right treatment for you (although I have to admit it might not be exactly...enticing...). So here's your prescription: Byt vas en sit skouer aan die wiel, jy is amper daar. Afrikaans for: Hold on and work hard, you're almost there:) 

And while you're at it, don't count the days...make the days count! (Mohammed Ali)

x