Change

Wow! I can't believe it's been almost exactly a year since I was last here or even blogged anything. I suppose that's a reflection of all the things that have happened in my life of late. To say there has been change, is an understatement. To even say that there has been massive, un-planned, un-expected change is a major understatement. A lot has happened in my life, most of which has been life changing. But I thank God that I lived to die another day. God has been very faithful and good to me, like I cannot even begin to describe, relate. I suppose those who know me (as opposed to those who secretly troll my blog :)), are aware of some of what i'm talking about (don't you just hate it when people talk in parables? Especially on blogs). Anyway, I hope to blog more often about the same old random stuff that I always blogged about in the past. Just know that God is good and God is great, all the time and there's no doubt about it!

Expectations

It's hard to believe that we're already half-way through the year already..it seems like just the other day we were waiting up to see the new millenium and now look at us, the 1st decade is almost through.

This month brings with it lots of excitement, what with the W.orld C.up and stuff, the hype is so much especially here in J.o'burg where we have basically been whipped up into a frenzy by the football Friday's. I am also so excited that atleast we will also get to say we were there after we watch our match. At the same time i feel so sorry for B.afana B.afana with all our expectations riding on them. I cannot imagine what it must feel like to have so much pressure to perform, it must be crashing to say the least. The condemnation, vitriol and abuse they will receive should the crash out of the games too soon is just more than they can imagine. We are all getting our hopes up especially now that they have been undefeated in the last 11 matches they have played and those were not small teams either. Anyway, I suppose next Friday by this time we will know whether they beat M.exico or not, so it will either be collective euphoria or depression for the country. I tell you I have realized how sports can unify people, I have never witnessed this amount of patriotism by all colors and creeds in the 5 years I have been here...maybe next we must bid for the Olympics so that we have something else to look forward to as a country.

Anyway, I have rumbled on enough I think..busy week ahead for me..i will probably be driving to P.retoria 2 or 3 times this week with the 1st time being tomorrow morning for a meeting at 8am (grrr, why did i accept that time?) and then on Sunday we drive back and forth to P.olokwane for our match. Pray that I have a good, safe and productive week and so do all my loved ones too ;)

Pretty - Florida Lake

Reading

In the last 2 years I have re-discovered my love for books and reading, infact it began when I was on my forced leave in 2008 when i was literally inhaling books. I have actually always loved reading, but this love of mine was forgotten during the two years in which I got internet at home.

All in all though, i'm glad i've re-discovered my love of books. I have also decided that I will not be forcing myself to finish a book that is just too boring...life is too short and there are too many interesting books that remain un-read whenever i force myself to finish a book i'm not enjoying. I must admit though that I find it really hard to leave a book half read, kind of like i owe the writer something or i keep hoping that it will get better. Apart from reading fiction, I have also read a few books which have helped me have an understanding of the politics in this country, they were hard to finish but I really wanted to know more about the history of this country.

I have just finished reading a book by Wally Lamb, a new writer whom i've never read before. It was a really sad book but I really enjoyed it, so much so that I had to read it and get it out of my system otherwise i would not have been able to do anything else. It has been awhile since a book has gripped me so. I cannot wait to read all the other books by this author. I just realized that i'd heard it recommended on the JCW bookshow and i'd made a note of it and although i forgot about it, it think thats why i borrowed it from the library. Anyway, i highly recommend "I know this much is true"

Enough of my rambling

Hu(Wo)man Nature?

I have been thinking alot lately about whether as women we're programmed automatically to always want to be with the bad guys, you know the type i'm talking about, the one who never calls when he says he should...never replies your sms on time or even bothers to reply at all...the one who chases anything in a skirt and cheats on you repeatedly..basically the one who treats you most like crap. Is that what we women really like/want? Because it seems that's what we want much as we protest that we do not.

I mean there are plenty of good guys out there, they are attentive, loving, caring, cater to your every whim, want to spend as much time with you as possible, will do anything to spend afew minutes with you, does not cheat on you, infact really has eyes only for you, is dependable, has a good job and is wise with money, does not live at home, is God-fearing, etc

But what do most of us do, we label those guys as needy, wimps, boring, he's just always hanging around me like some kind of bad smell, he is not exciting enough. Whereas when we're making that list of requirements that we all like to pretend we don't have but we secretly do, that's exactly what we're looking for, but when a guy who ticks all the boxes shows up he's instantly rejected.

Does it therefore mean that good guys will always finish last?

Another thing i've been thinking about is - is it necessary to a relationship to have any chemistry/sparks? Should the chemistry/sparks come immediately? Or can that come with time? If the basics are there (i.e. respect, intense like (or even love), compatible and good companions, etc) is it enough or does one have to have sparks/chemistry? Is hooking up with someone with whom you have no sparks/chemistry settling for less than you can have/want? What if you go for the one where there is no sparks/chemistry and then later one the one with whom you have sparks/chemistry shows up, what do you do then? This whole love/life/relationships is just too hectic i tell you, clearly i need to spend more time sleeping at night and not thinking.

Why can't everything be just simple and straight forward?

God given talent

Earlier this week i was listening to a radio interview of a famous boxer called "the rose of Soweto" and the interviewer commented to him that some people say that most boxers need to train to reach the level that this boxer had reached, whereas most people agree that this boxer just had a natural God-given boxing talent.

Since then I have become obsessed with what my God-given talent. Does everyone have one of those? What if i die having never found out what it is? How do i find out what it is? I'm consumed with finding out what it is, i'd hate to think that there's something that i can do without any effort (or with minimal effort) or i wouldn't the amount of effort required because i would enjoy so much.

I guess for me the overriding question right now is what is my God-given talent. I sure would like to know so that it just stops lying fallow.

Enjoy a good weekend to my one faithful reader

Eerie

Did one of those online personality tests and the result was an almost accurate description of me as follows:

You prefer a warm, friendly environment free of conflict and hostility. In that environment, you prefer reassurance of your involvement and self-worth.

Because of your lenient and complacent nature, others with fewer scruples may take advantage of you. You could, perhaps, benefit from greater assertiveness.

You are a good friend and are always willing to help those you consider to be your friends. You also show strong ties, and will be uncomfortable when separated from your friends for an extended period.

You may demonstrate positive possessiveness by developing strong attachments; however, you will not be overly involved as some others tend to do.

You have a basic need to be supportive of others. You will agree with others, sometimes even if it's not what you really want.

Others may perceive you as being undemonstrative and self-controlled. Not wanting to be the center of attention, you generally support others.

You tend to dislike sudden or abrupt changes. You prefer things the way they are. Your motto might be: "If it's not broken, don't fix it."

You tend to be a traditionalist, and will enjoy the social environment best if it is stable and predictable. You dislike sudden decisions about where to go or what to do, preferring to think things out first.

You show self-control in most things you do; you are not an extremist. Others may see you as stable, mature and steadfast.

You tend to be loyal to others. Your loyalty shows in a variety of ways including your "staying power" with relationships and activities.

Have you ever....

.....had one of those weeks where on Tuesday you feel like it should be a friday already because of the amount of hours you've put in?

.....needed to just have a good cry and no tears will come?

.....been passed over for a promotion and have people who were junior to you now be at the same level as you?

.....thought you would not feel bad if you were not promoted but feel just really horrible when your name is not on the list?

.....wondered what it feels like to be the right level at the right age?

.....just wished you could sleep the whole weekend and knowing that it just will not be happening?

.....been so sleepy and yet been unable to sleep?

.....had to clear review notes which were beyond your control?

.....felt like you are just disappointing the people you work with?

.....wondered if maybe you're not cut-out for the job that you thought you'd do so well?

.....known you enjoy the work, but maybe you do not have the personality type to do the work?

It has been one of those weeks, maybe its exhaustion, maybe i'm just being a drama queen...but i sure hope the sun does come out tomorrow

What resonates with me

Wonderful, merciful Saviour
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would've thought that a Lamb could
Rescue the souls of men
Oh, You rescue the souls of men
Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost our way
Oh, we've hopelessly lost the way

CHORUS
You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for
Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we're falling before Your throne

By Selah

Thank God

For peace of mind

Goals for the week

I am going to copy this blog and see if by making small, easily achievable goals, whether i can achieve them. So here goes:

- Go to the gym for atleast an hour of exercise this week
- Read a full chapter in the bible
- Go atleast one full work day without checking yahoo or facebook (i hope i can do this one)

Easy enough you may be saying, but these are some of the things i find most difficult to do

The voice of the Lord?

Well 2009 and a new year is upon us once again (atleast for the new year). I hope it brings lots of good things only for me and my loved ones. I know it's been quite a while since I was on here but now i'm back, atleast for now anyway.

Of late i've been feeling like the Lord is talking me. I have this feeling like i'm being nudged towards something. A thing that i've been struggling with for quite a number of years now. I feel like He's telling me to trust Him. To just let go and to let Him step in and take control of my life and this situation in particular. I feel like He's calling me to have a personal relationship with Him, to not rely on my own strength but to put my trust in Him, to test Him and watch Him coming through for me in all areas of my life.

I have been asking God for awhile now to give me clarity or show me some signs concerning this situation. On various occassions now i've felt like i've gotten real signs including someone coming and actually telling me that the Lord is telling her to tell me to do that thing and to stop struggling. The thing is that i'm confused, i'm struggling to let go and surrender to the Lord, i know this is because i'm still relying on my own strength and not trusting in Him fully. I am also struggling with whether this trully is the Lord's voice/urging, but then again, why would any other thing putsh me towards the Lord.

I just wish i could see what life would be like with me totally trusting the Lord, like i could get some kind of peek into what He has in store for me. Like i could have some kind of guarantee about some things.

From my phone

Testing, testing 1 2 3

Now

So i'm now officially un-employed, atleast for the next short while, i pray.  I'm already at my wits end, i always want to have time off but never really know what to do with myself when i'm finally off...usually by day two i'm like ok...so what else can i do.  I don't even know what i'm going to do especially since i will have no internet access.  Actually i dont know when this will be restored because i have a feeling the next work issue laptop i get will not be able to access the internet, oh well, i guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 
 

Officially starting running again tomorrow.  Its been awhile since i last abandoned it.  But this time i'm going to stick with it, firstly because i'm putting on too much weight and in all the wrong places too and secondly because i've been threatened with grevious bodily harm is i abandon my running partner whom i've actually convinced to start running so that i can have company.  Because I think that was part of the problem last time, the fact that i used to get bored when running and also scared.  Our goal is to run this, and when we sucessfully run that, we shall buy ourselves some funky outfits

I thank God for...

...the fact that quitting my job actually went very well.

...my bosses who didn't ask where i was going and who were only to glad to give me the letter of release.

...the promotion i got even though i had to turn it down in the end.

...i know and believe that the application for my work permit will be quick and painless and will be granted.

...my operation that will also go well in His name.

Thinking

...it is better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all....

Rant

I have just been watching a program about the brain drain that African countries and in this case specifically Malawi are suffering on their health professionals. It struck some cords with me...i have always believed that doctors should not be allowed to charge for their services, yes, i know that's naive and all, but really the right to medical attention in my opinion should be one of the basic human rights..so whether one is poor or rich, on should have these services available to them. But in Africa today, you get only the medical services you can pay for, since the government run medical facilities are all run-down and suffering under the strain of too few facilities/health professionals and just too many people. Only the more affluent people can afford to pay medical aid and/or more expensive doctors in private facilities. Therefore, if doctors did not charge for their services, then all people would receive this basic human right and the best of it. So you're probably wondering how the professionals would survive, this should be the governments' responsibility to provide and provide adequately for them. This would also sort out the problem of the brain drain, according to those doctors who were interviewed on the program that i watched...the main reason they leave to go and work in the western countries is because of the better lives they would be making for themselves and their families from the salaries that sometimes come to more than 200-300 times what they earn when they remain in Africa. None of them mentioned going overseas because the quality of life was better for them their...infact i think given a choice, most of them would return home in a flash to be close to their extended families and just generally enjoy the kind of life they grew up in. In this way 2 birds will be killed with the reversal of the brain drain and not having 1 doctor serving approximately 50000 patients as is the case in Malawi.

Another thing, i think its morally wrong that these media houses like cnn, bbc, et al purely go in and film the suffering of people on their various news stories and don't make any attempt to help them. These companies are definitely making money from airing these programs, increasing their ratings and stuff..but what reward do these people get from having their suffering televised for all and sundry to see? NOTHING!!! I think it is about time someone put a stop to this

Two good things that happened to me this week

1. My SA Police clearance finally came through this week just when i was beginning to think that the lady was a con-woman. I was getting worried coz it was well after the 7 – 12 days that had been forecasted and also after i spoke to a friend who said that the amount i paid to get it was way too low. Just goes to show, that sometimes one just has to trust their instincts.
   
2. I finally handed in all my supporting documents and re-signed my new work contract. I guess now i'm on the clock, or does that start when i actually quit?
   

   The day my police clearance came through i had a really nostalgic moment for my current employer. But i guess its just coz i'm leaving my current posting when i've only just started to become really friendly with my colleagues..and i guess it will be sometime before that happens at my new job and i will miss that. But apart from that...bring it on..i'm sooo ready for this new job!!!

Wooohooo for Kampala

It's not often that Kampala gets listed as amongst the top anything cities of the world. We're not among the top cleanest, most populated and we're most certainly not amongst the richest 100 cities in the world. If anything, Kampala is most likely to be listed among the top corrupt, as having the most people with HIV/AIDs, as the city with the most dark day, etc. You get the drift.

So you can imagine my delight at finding this. Scroll down to #14 and read for yourselves. Who knew?

Dream Job

What would my dream job be? It would be a job where I got paid bucket loads of money which I saved all/a lot of, it would involve loads of travel to exotic and interesting locations, living in hotels while earning copious amounts of per diem and of course it goes without saying that it would involve me doing what I loved doing.

This suits all my requirements and even some things I didn't know I would requireJ. Can anyone venture a guess as to which company that is? I just want to put it on here so that I remember what I'm working towards. Of course in 3-4 years if I'm still responsible only for my own self, then I soooo want to get a job like this one:

Are you interested in building a successful career with one of the world's largest and most recognisable companies? Do you also enjoy travelling & have a desire to see the world in style?? Then this could be the perfect match for you.

We are currently working with the leading manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of non-alcoholic beverages worldwide for International Audit positions with global exposure. Based out of the corporate headquarters and with international travel to local operations in over 200 countries around the world, the role will involve 100% travel.

Although this team are officially based out of Atlanta USA, realistically you may only spend a few weeks a year on - site. You will spend your time moving from one audit engagement to another working in a team of internal auditors with financial, operational & IT backgrounds. Each audit assignment will take 6 weeks or longer and on completion your team will move onto the next assignment – often in a new country!

The company acknowledge that over an extended period this much travel becomes tiring and after 3 years you will be in a position to move into an exciting role within the division of your choice.

Examples of roles people have been promoted into during the last year; -
o Mergers & Acquisitions – Atlanta
o Regional Finance Manager – Australia
o Commercial Finance Manager – Argentina
o Special Project (confidential) – Germany
o Special Project (dealing with an acquisition) – Philippines

The salary offered in this department will be competitive and negotiable based on experience. The base salary for a Senior Auditor is expected to fall between US$60K - US$70k. Most auditors in this department typically provide feedback that almost the entire salary can be saved as the company provide international quality hotels / apartments along with a generous per diem allowance to all living expenses.

We are interested in speaking to Auditors and IT Auditors (CA, ACCA, CPA, CISA or Equivalent) with at least 3-4 years experience gained in a Big 4 / Top 10 Public Accounting firm or Multinational Audit team

Please do not hesitate to contact us if these roles sound of interest or if you would like further information on any of the roles we have worldwide