Watch this space...

As we come to the final days of being students, our lives are going to change forever once they are all done. All the blood, sweat, and tears spent on doing assignments and studying for tests gone in an instance.

Most of us have only truly known student life. For the first time ever, most of us don't know what lies ahead for ourselves in this uncertain future. We don't know where in the world life will take us, but we can be sure that it'll be a journey of good and bad experiences. It's up to us how we deal with these situations, whether it is good or bad, and learn from it.

Things happen for a reason, and I'm a firm believer that it does. Yes, sometimes it hurts, but not all experiences will be bad. We just have to hold our heads high and make the most of it, the best we possibly can. If it doesn't kill us, it can only make us stronger. We must draw strength from every experience we may have, and learn from it.

So as this old life comes to an end, and a new life beginning in a few days time, there isn't much I am certain of, in terms of what the future may hold for me, but all I can say is "Watch this space".

Andy Warhol said, “In the future everybody will be world famous for fifteen minutes” – You can’t choose the 15 mins but why would you be world famous

With the way technology is going these days, it is extremely possible for everyone and anyone to have their "15 minutes of fame".

Technology has opened our lives to a whole new world of endless possibilities. With the likes of Facebook and Myspace, one can stay connected to family and friends anywhere around the world, not only easier, but faster as well.

YouTube has been responsible for many people becoming over-night internet celebrities. A good example of this is "Parez Hilton".
Mario Armando Lavandeira (Parez Hilton) is an American blogger and television personality. His blog, Perezhilton.com, is known for posts covering gossip items about musicians, actors, and celebrities. He is also known for posting tabloid photographs over which he has added his own captions or "doodles." His blog has gained negative attention for its attitude, its active "outing" of alleged closeted celebrities, and its role in the increasing coverage of celebrities in all forms of media. Parez Hilton became an over-night celebrity thanks to his blog.

Why would I be world famous for 15 minutes? Who knows. Maybe through a major, celebrity-filled event. Maybe through dating or marrying a celebrity. Maybe through my job one day. One one can really tell why they would be famous or how they could possibly become famous (except if you're an actor, musician etc etc).
The only thing I can hope for is that I become famous, even if it is only for 15 minutes, in a good way and for doing a good thing.

Conventional is a good fallback position...

Conventional is a good fallback position. By this we mean that it is always good playing it safe.

Yes, it may be a good fallback, but in life, one needs to challenge and be challenged in order to grow as a person and succeed in life.

Playing it safe can only get one so far. Taking risks is what gets people somewhere in life. You feel like you've accomplished something when a risk you have taken works out better than you hoped and expected.

Of course some risks don't work out. But from these failed risks, one learns more about himself and become a stronger person for the better.

Taking risks is scary and exciting. Not knowing what is going to happen in the future, opens up a whole pool full of emotions, expectations, and realisations.

Me, personally, am a bit scared when it comes to taking risks, but know that I will have to make and take them. It is part of growing up and living. Most things in life are about taking a risk. Little things such as driving on the road, or even eating at a specific restaurant, is taking a risk. Everything, in life, comes with risks. We just have to be brave enough to take them.

“Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when you only have one idea”

An idea is just whatever is before the mind when one thinks. Very often, ideas are interpreted as representational images, such as images of some object. In other contexts, ideas are taken to be concepts. Many philosophers consider ideas to be a fundamental category of being.
The capacity to create and understand the meaning of ideas is considered to be an essential and defining feature of human beings.
An idea arises in a reflex, spontaneous manner, even without thinking or serious reflection.

Alain stated that, “Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when you only have one idea”. By this he means it is safer to have more than just one idea, otherwise one is forced to only try that idea. What happens if that idea isn't successful? Then what?

As I start moving closer and closer to my final days of being a student, it is killing me not knowing where I'm going to end up or what I am going to be doing. I have a few ideas as to which categories/lines of public relations I would like to go into at least, but that's about it.

There is a saying "failure to plan is planning to fail". This is true is some cases, but when it comes to not knowing what the future holds, it's a whole different ball game. One can only hope and pray they get a job they are really interested in, otherwise the only planning one could do is sending in CV's.

So what lies ahead? No one knows. I only know it's scary, yet exciting at the same time.

Best pieces of Advice:

Here are a few pieces of advice I found interesting and useful:

"In order to make a difference all you need to do is start." - N. Manganyi

"Pain is temporary, but quitting is forever." - L. Armstrong

"Make it your intention to pursue only what is honourable, what is good, and what is true - and the result will be a life grander than you could ever have imagined." - O. Winfrey

"'Enough' is when you are looking back without regretting what you had to sacrifice in order to achieve your success." - Z. Bassa

"Life is too short to work with those who don't share our values." -W. Luhabe

"We mustn't blame circumstances or poor leadership for abandoning our values. Instead we must find courage and lead by example." - W. Luhabe

"You have to be able to hope before you move forward. Otherwise, you are always acting out of fear." - C. Amanpour

"Find a man you respect and who respects you. Find a man who can deal with your strenghth, your creativity, your mind." - JP. Smith

"It isn't where you came from, it's where you're going that counts." - E. Fitzgerald

Reading these made me stop and think, so it's only fitting that I shared them. I chose these specific one's for my fellow students to think about and carry through life after CPUT.

Good Luck to you all, and hope to see you one day out in the big world!

Student life is coming to an end...

For most of my life, all I've known is "student life". Attending school, attending lectures, that's all I've known.
As I sit here and think about my last few days of being a student, I'm saddened, but excited for what lies ahead.
These are exciting times for us now. For once in my life I do not know where I'm going to end up or what I'm going to do.

Being a student, one lives a farely carefree life, attending classes, attending parties, and generally having a good time. Yes, the studying for tests sucks, but once it's gone, we'll be wishing we had these studying days back.

The world is a scary place, and with the economic crisis, one can only be grateful if they get a job.

I recently attended the Graduation Dance of the BTech Education students. We received this poem that I now pass on to my fellow BTech PR Management collegues.

"Graduation Friendship"

We're graduating, and we know
Our lives will be different and new,
We're going out into the world,
Our goals and dreams to pursue.
But one thing will never, ever change,
As we go our seperate ways,
The friends we've made at CPUT will be
Our friends for all our days.
The special ties and attachments we've made,
These bonds will never be broken,
We'll continue to feel that special bond,
Though words may not be spoken.
So it's not "goodbye", but rather "farewell",
I'll see you again, my friend,
Your friendship means a lot to me,
And will never end.

The song that best describes how I'm feeling at the moment....

David Guetta - When Love Takes Over feat Kelly Rowland

It’s complicated, it always is
that’s just the way it goes
Feels like I’ve waited so long for this
I wonder if it shows?
Head under water now I can breath
it never felt so good.
Cause I can feel it coming over me
I wouldn’t stop it if I could

When love takes over, (yeah-ah-eah)
You know you can’t deny
When love takes over, (yeah-ah-eah)
Cause something’s here tonight
Give me a reason, i gotta know
Do you feel it too?
Can’t you see me here on overload
And this time I blame you
Mmmm, Looking out for you to hold my hand
It feels like I could fall
Now love me right, like I know you can
We could loose it all

When love takes over (yeah-ah-eah)
You know you can’t deny
When love takes over (yeah-ah-eah)
‘Cause something’s here tonight
Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight,
Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight,
Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight,
Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight,

And i’ll be loving you all the time, it’s true
Cause i’ll wanne make it right, with you
When love takes over (repeat 7x)
Over (repeat 10x)
When love takes over (yeah-ah-eah)
You know you can’t deny
When love takes over (yeah-ah-eah)
‘Cause something’s here tonight

Silly Boy, that you are!!!

Unfortunately, we women will have the experience of dating someone who really just doesn't have a clue about anything.
They go about their lives only consumed in themselves, and fail to notice that we are human to.

It's like they need a special manual on how to just deal with them.
Relationships are complicated, that I know, but there is something different about this type of breed of male!

Are they really that clueless, or are they really jsut selfish?!

Then you get the one's that put you second to their work. Fair enough, but not cool when you are constantly told and reminded that you are put second.

I recently heard a song at a friend's place that sums these types of men up. Having recently gone through a break up with this type of breed, my friend stumbled apon this song and said it best described her current ex.


Silly Boy - Eva Simons

You’re callin’ me more than ever now that we’re done
Two keys back to my place, we were having no fun
But you’re not ok, tellin’ me you miss my face
I remember when you would say you hate my waist
I said I’m not coming back, it’s it
You fooled me once but you can’t have that ego turning
Just too bad for you, that when you had me
Didn’t know what to do,
She’s over you

Cause you had a good girl, good girl, girl
That’s a keeper, keeper
You had a good girl, good girl but
Didn’t know how to treat her, treat her (treat her)
So silly boy get out my face (my face)
Why do you like the way regrets taste?
So silly boy get out my hair my hair(get outta here)
No, I don’t want you no more (get outta here)
Silly boy (silly boy)
Why you acting silly boy?
Silly boy boy (boy boy)
Acting acting silly boy?

You comin with those corny lines
Can’t live without me
I’ll get some flowers for the day that you are buried
No, people make mistakes
But I just think your ass is fake
Only thing I want from you, is for you to (stay away)
I said I’m not coming back, it’s it
You fooled me once but you can’t have that ego turning
Just too bad for you, that when you had
Didn’t know what to do, she’s over you

Cause you had a good girl, good girl, girl
That’s a keeper, keeper
You had a good girl, good girl but
Didn’t know how to treat her, treat her (treat her)
So silly boy get out my face (my face)
Why do you like the way regrets taste?
So silly boy get out my hair my hair(Get outta here)
No I don’t want you no more (get outta here)
No more, no more, no more (no oh)(Oooh)
Silly boy (silly boy)
Why you acting silly boy?
Silly boy boy (boy boy)
Acting acting silly boy?
Silly boy (silly boy)
Why you acting silly boy?
Silly boy boy (boy boy)
Acting acting silly boy?(Yeah)
So silly boy get out my face (my face)
Why do you like the way regrets taste?
So silly boy get out my hair my hair (Get outta here)
No I don’t want you no more (get outta here)
Silly boy (silly boy)
Why you acting silly boy?
Silly boy boy (boy boy)
Acting acting silly boy?

"Time"

Time could be defined as:

• A period of time considered as a resource under your control and sufficient to accomplish something.
• The continuum of experience in which events pass from the future through the present to the past.
• A person's experience on a particular occasion.

When people consider life and death, time always comes into play, for example: "It was his time to go". This sort of time is a measurement of how long we have living on this earth. We spend our whole lives consumed with "Time".

The time of the day, the time it took to go somewhere, the time it takes Mr Delivery to deliver your pizza.

Last week, one of my very close friend's mother decided for herself that her time has come by committing suicide. Time is a gift we were given. When one's time is up, it's up. But she chose, out of her own, when her time had come. What shocked us all was the fact that she had planned her funeral. The songs, everything. Time stopped when I looked over and watched my friend and her family grieving. They now have to spend the rest of their "time" trying to find answers to why she took that jump off the building. Unfortunately, only she can truly answer that.

Time, if one can help it, should not be wasted. Instead, it should be spent doing what we enjoy and spending it with people we love.

What the philosophers say on "Time":

"I sometimes ask myself how it came about that I was the one to develop the theory of relativity. The reason, I think, is that a normal adult never stops to think about problems of space and time. These are things which he has thought about as a child. But my intellectual development was retarded, as a result of which I began to wonder about space and time only when I had already grown up". - Einstein

"The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." - Einstein

"The whole life of man is but a point of time; let us enjoy it." - Plutarch

"Time goes, you say? Ah no! Alas, Time stays, we go." - Dobson (The Paradox of Time)

"So little time and so little to do." - Levant

"Time the devourer of all things." - Ovid

"Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you." - Sandburg

Rock Journalism

Frank Zappa declared that, "Most rock journalism is people who can't write, interviewing people who can't talk, for people who can't read."



There are "Ten commandments of Rock Journalism”, these are:

1. Know your music


2. Know your metal


3. Be open to all forms of metal


4. It’s not just the riff


5. Listen/watch/read before you write


6. Have your say


7. Be you


8. Prepare to be hammered and to be hammer back


9. Go against the rules


10. Just be Metal

Rock journalism is a type of music journalism. Music journalism is criticism and reportage about music. It began in the eighteenth century as comment on what is now thought of as classical music. This aspect of music journalism, today generally classified as music criticism, comprises the study, discussion, evaluation, and interpretation of music and its performance. Modern music criticism is often informed by music theory consideration of the many diverse elements of a musical piece or performance, including its form and style, and as regards performance, standards of technique and expression.

One could apply the above "Ten commandments of Rock Journalism" to their lives and how they live them. One should be open to new ideas, should voice their opinions, and just be themselves. Most of us live these "closed" lives, not willing to budge from the known to the unknown. We don't budge out of fear for the unknown. After all, the known is safer and doesn't require us to take risks. But life would be boring if we don't take a chance.

Quotes form the Not Fade Away: the rise and fall of rock journalism's (a film by Jeremy Stulberg and Randy Stulberg) website:

It was a rock writer who introduced the Beatles to Bob Dylan.
A rock writer helped assemble the Sex Pistols.
Former rock writers lead the Smiths, the Pet Shop Boys and the Pretenders.
A rock writer launched global disco culture with a single magazine feature.
A former rock writer was responsible for organizing Live Aid.
A rock writer introduced Kurt Cobain to Courtney Love.

Rock Journalists are a true counterpart to the rock & roll star. They are the only people in the world who are as fully immersed in music and committed to rock culture as the performers are. Only the journalist is doomed to a rock & roll lifestyle and can articulate the complexity and intensity of it all.

Being obsessed with rock & roll is lonely. And no amount of sex, drugs, cars, toys and more drugs can fill a void for the musician quite like an exchange with their fellow traveler -- the rock journalist.

While the rock writer’s love for music is pure, they're not immune to being star-struck, seduced,
bribed, manhandled, slipped-mickeys and swindled. And yet a good rock critic will keep a musician on top of his or her game and prevent the yes men and spin doctors from wielding too much power.

"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture -
it's a really stupid thing to want to do."
--Elvis Costello

Torn between two

How does one chose between two things that are equally as good?!

Yes one might have more con's than the other, but that one gives me butterflies...
It is really hard chosing based on pro's and con's. In the end, those con's could be rectified, could they not?

Life is full of choices. It's not knowing what the right choice is that scares us. We forever wonder if we are making the correct decision or not. But then again, life to is all about taking chances and learning.
But when one has been hurt so much they tend to be hesitant when it comes to breaking lose and just going with it.

They both promising the world. They both live far. They are both decent and sweet, but the one has got me constantly smiling. But what if that one turns out to be a toad like the rest of them. Then what? Do I take my chances or not? I guess both could turn into toads.
The one is trying to push me into a relationship, which has already got me backed up against the wall. Am I ready for a commitment so soon?

Now I'm left with wondering what to do....Why can't life just be easy just for once!?!

"A different time" - by Rustum Kozain

We invert time
after love fallasleep as the muezzin calls
the diligent to daybreak prayers.
Night fails. Dawn comes
in strides.Guinea-fowl skirl and caw
into another day
from which we turn.
A curtain billows over us,
like a chimney vents
sweat and our sighs to the world.
Wind, candid with light rain,
falters onto our skins.
Then someone’s 5 p.m.
angle-grinder dredges up our morning.
We straddle time, the bed.
Like starfish, beached
in the sulphur of sunset
you said.

What motivates me...

Motivation can be defined as the activation of goal-oriented behaviour.

The task at hand will determine the amount of motivation a person has for it. If it is a task people enjoy doing, they won't need as much motivation to do it. If it is a task that people generally don't like doing, they try and put it off as they are not motivated to do it.

I, myself, hate studying. When it comes to tests, I want to smack the lecturer that gave it to us. Nothing could be more boring than studying hours on end just to get to class in as a nervous stress-ball.
Assignments are also not high on the list when it comes to being motivated. But I generally like to start them early so that I don't stress as much and can breathe at the end of it. Not having that extra stress of the-night-before motivates me to start the assignments early.

What motivates me to get out of bed in the morning is coffee and a nice bowl of yummy oats,syrup and cinnamon. Tastes like a donut...YUM.

When it comes to doing my workouts, what motivates me is having my "ME" time. When I do my workout and go for my walk, I forget about everything around me and just clear my mind. It helps to destress to.

Each and everyone is different, therefore some may need more motivation to do a task than others.

Personal Autonomy - How far does it extend?

Personal autonomy is our right to be self-determining, and to choose how we want to live our lives.
Being human, we have a need for personal autonomy. We want to be the person who chooses how we live our lives and not to be controlled by others.The reality is in our current world we are living in it is impossible for someone to grow up being a truly autonomous person. Most of us, at an early age, lose contact with who we are. We then develop our ego, which we believe is who we are.

We all know how we should act and behave, but in the end it is really up to us whether we act and behave in an appropriate manner. In life, we need to choose how we want to live, whether it be the correct way or not.

In school and the working environment, you is restricted when personal autonomy is concerned. We have to abide by the rules or "laws" of that organisation. If we don't, we get punished. What we do in our own time is up to us.

I Don't Need...

Recently a friend of mine asked me how do I get over break-ups so quickly and gracefully. The truth is when I go through break-ups I am a complete mess inside, but somehow I hide it well on the outside.

We go through stages of depression and feeling lonely, but recently I decided I would do things differently and instead of moping, I would put more effort into friendships that I hadn't before and adopt a positive attitude.

This decision to be positive and to spend more time with friends having a good time has really helped the healing process. I recommend everyone tries it!

I also turn to poetry that people have written for inspiration.
I recently stumbled apon a poem that reminded me of a friend that is going through what I did.
It is titled "I Don't Need" by Niketa Jones:

I don't need a man
To happy me
I don't need a man
To make my life Complete
All I need Is to be loved by someone
Who really cares
There are feelings I have
Inside but they just
Won't go away so until then
I don't need a man
To make me happy
I don't need a man to
Make my life complete

“Bunch of Animals” is one comment on the CPUT strike on campus. What is yours?

Striking is not the issue here. The issue here is that certain individuals think it is OK to go around stealing, trashing and damaging property that is not their own. This, in my opinion, shows that they have no respect for the institution or their fellow students. As the SRC they are suppose to be representing all the students, not just a select few.

Time and time again they always see the need to resort to such measures. Why not inform the rest students on campus about the issue and then we can all stand together instead of it turning violent. A thousand students "downing tools" is more effective than a couple of hundred students wrecking the place.

There are many other ways to express anger. Putting lecturers and students at risk is not the way to solve things! If they want to behave like animals, they must go back to the bush.
People living in urban areas are supposed to be civilised.

The average person on the street loses respect for those individuals who behave in this manor. We would respect those who take a stand without resorting to violence.

But I do understand that sometimes talking about the issue is just not enough. If top management actually spoke about the issue (and informed students before deciding) and took them seriously then maybe these sorts of incidents wouldn't happen.

10 most unexpected consequences of being online...

1. I met my ex boyfriend online, and we dated for almost 2 years (Big shocker!);
2. I was able to find and get in contact with family overseas that I either haven't seen in a very, very long time, or have never met before;
3. I am able to write this blog, sitting in a bar, in very hot and humid Thailand;
4. Being totally addicted to finding cute, romantic sayings using Google;
5. Your photos are available to anyone and everyone, anywhere and everywhere;
6. You get in contact with people you went to school with years ago;
7. Being able to check my uni results while sitting by the beach, in Thailand, whilst sipping on an ice-cold Coke Zero, after a very long day of walking around the many tiny streets, shopping till we're literally dropping;
8. You are able to book flights and accommodation without having to set foot in a travel agency;
9. Communicating with friends and family overseas is easier and cheaper;
10. People sharing their thoughts and opinions, on various subjects,from every corner of the earth.

Every day is a good day

"Every day is a good day" is a quote from a Zen koan, spoken by Zen Master Yun Men, who lived and taught in 10th century China. (Jeff Brooks: 2008)

What he meant by these words is:

To have the conviction that every day is a good day means that we are really living our own lives. If we discriminate based on our own feelings of happiness or unhappiness and say: "I wonder if today will be good," or "Today I am happy so it is a good day," or "Today I am unhappy so today is a bad day," or "If something nice happens to me today I will have the opinion that today is a good day," then we lose our lives. That kind of attitude means we are living passively, as if life is just something that happens to us. If we live this way we have given up the direction of our own lives and we will inevitably decline. (Jeff Brooks: 2008)

To understand that every day is a good day takes courage. Because on some days we will suffer. Then, when that is necessary, when that is the reality of our lives, it is our day to suffer. That reality shifts, as we all have experienced, from day to day, even from moment to moment. It shifts as a result of our intention, as a result of our karma. Some days we will be happy. Then it will be a good day to be happy. Some days we will have to struggle. Then it will be a good day to struggle. Some day we will need to fight. Then it will be a good day to fight. Some day it will be our day to die. (Jeff Brooks: 2008)

There is a lot of truth in these words. We have control of whether we are going to have a good day or not. If you are alive and healthy, then it is a good day regardless of what is going on around us. We are too quick to base our days on what has happened to us, and not on the notion of living another day.

If you wake up in the morning, you are having a good day. We cannot judge a day by our attitudes. If we continue to do this, we are not really living. We are choosing to allow the negativity to affect how we live.

Every day you have been blessed with is a good day, SO LIVE IT!

Our greatest strengths are our greatest weaknesses.

Our greatest strengths are our greatest weaknesses...

When reading this topic for the first time, millions of thoughts went rushing through my mind. Recalling all the things that I find to be strengths and weaknesses to myself.

We, as humans, have all been given the opportunity to love or to be loved. But when a person takes it too far, and yes you can actually take it too far, it becomes harmful and destructive. Everyone wants to be loved, not over-loved.

When we are born, we either get born with special talents or we get have to work a little harder at developing special talents. We are all born gifted in one way or another. It is how we use these talents that counts. If one goes over board and doesn't use them wisely, they can become soul destroying.

It is also not a good idea to boast about certain talents you may have and others don't. This will leave them feeling rather inferior and will not want to be around you.

Weaknesses have the potential to become strengths one day if we keep working hard on them.
Using our strengths in a positive way or to help others gives one a rewarding feeling. Boasting about them may make you feel better about yourself, but in the end you'll only be left with yourself.

One needs to draw from their strengths and draw from their weaknesses to try find the perfect balance for themself.

Feelings follow behaviour

What are feelings? And what is behaviour?

According to Wikipedia.org, a feeling is used to describe the physical sensation of touch either through experience or perception. AND behaviour refers to the actions or reactions of an object or organism, usually in relation to the environment. Behaviour can be conscious or unconscious, voluntary or involuntary.

James D. Laird wrote in his book, Feelings, "If feelings follow behaviour, they cannot be the causes of behaviour, since causes must precede their effects."

Often behaviour can change one's feelings. Weird, but true. For example, if you force yourself to be happy, you will eventually become happy. And if you force yourself to think before you react to certain emotions, you will change your behaviour before doing things.

Behaviour usually follows feelings, but, in some instances, one's behaviour can alter one's feelings. For example, you go shopping because you are sad and need some cheering up. After you find the perfect pair of shoes and purchase them your feelings go from being sad to a feeling of happiness.

Feelings work together with behaviour. People are more concerned about their feelings than their actions. We all just need to take a step back and let our behaviour lead the way for a change.