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What kind of friend are you?
I recently had a very long chat, with a very old friend of mine and it was filled with all sorts of complaints. We moaned about the fact that we are getting old. She showed me her swollen thumb. I laughed at the fact that I’m not hip enough to commit to 7 outfit changes for 1 Tik Tok. We both need more money.
I mean, if you were a fly on the wall, you would wonder why on earth we would dedicate a whole conversation to, well, complaining.
The thing is this though… why would we not?
I have a lot of friends – really great pals, all of them. People who will be there for me in a time of need.
Friends who cooked for me, after the birth of my baby and really amazing pals who don’t laugh when I get undressed in front of them.
Friends who comforted me during the big Covid losses of last year.
Friends who think I’m hilarious- even though we all know that my jokes are questionable and really special pals who tell me that I look nice when all I did was wash my hair.
I have friends who reprimand me when I don’t go to the doctor to tend to my ailments and friends who love my kids as if they are their very own. I have amazing pals who speak highly of me, even when I’m not around to hear it and pals who like my Instagram posts even though the post is about something that they have no interest in at all.
I have friends who I don’t speak to for, like, a whole year – but we still have that instant connection when we do and a select few – who I share my vulnerability with. These are the absolute gems who get to see my ugly. (The lucky fools muahaha)
Our convos usually go “I know I’m being rude right now but I don’t understand why…” OR “I’m sorry to say this but…”
For the most part, we allow ourselves to be open and vulnerable with each other. We offer insight and – hey – correction where needed. But we mainly find healing and freedom in being able to say exactly what we are thinking, knowing that there will be absolutely no judgement at all.
Because, at the end of the day, we all have insecurities. And, let’s be honest ladies, we often struggle to put these insecurities on display. I mean, we don’t want our insecurities to define who we are.
These unicorn pals are a safe place… a sounding board… a shoulder and an ear. And they usually understand your crazy, which helps.Anyways, after chatting to my pal, and reflecting on how I offloaded so much of my current concerns (some, totally irrational) into this one message to her, I marvelled at the beauty of our friendship. I mean, I felt a whole lot better after the conversation. I felt heard.
It also made me wonder: do I leave MY friends feeling the same way? What kind of friend am I?
Am I a “no judgement” friend? Is my friendship a safe space to someone? Do I allow my pals to be exactly who they are – no masks needed?
Or do my friends feel as if they need to be a specific person around me. Do I grant my friends the freedom to be express themselves, around me?
Maya Angelou said that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. I am committed to being more mindful of how I make my friends feel.
How about you? What kind of friend are you?
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How clean is your mouth?
This may come across as a bit of a weird question but – how clean is your mouth? No really… how clean? I’m only asking because September is Oral Health Awareness month and I thought to spread the word about good oral health.
The thing is this, my dearest friends, so many people think that simply brushing alone is enough to ensure good oral health. But cleaning between your teeth is super important too, because that is where majority of the cavities start!
The team over at Sunstar GUM are actual gum health experts, so I take their word for it when they say that teeth have five sides and that brushing only cleans three of those sides. So yes, daily interdental cleaning will ensure that you have a healthy mouth and fresh breath. (It’s actually recommended by dental professionals, yo!)
Sunstar GUM has an unrivalled range of professional interdental tools & floss – the biggest range in SA, actually. Their nifty nickname for the range is: #GUMEssentialWorkers and that’s because these interdental tools do important work! The ‘Gum essential workers’ help to clean where your brush can’t reach! (Sounds like an important job to me).
Some of my fave Sunstar GUM interdental tools are:
GUM Soft-Picks Advanced
These are my ultimate fave! This curved interdental pick has soft rubber bristles that gently remove plaque and debris between teeth. You can use them on your orthodontic braces or if you have sensitive gums. Oh and they are ideal for adults AND children – how rad? I also love that it comes with a convenient travel case. I always have these in my hand bag.
GUM Trav-Ler
These are reusable interdental brushes that are really nifty when it comes to keeping those tight spaces in-between your teeth clean. The bristles are anti-bacterial and is proven to remove up to 25% more plaque than standard bristles. The neck is quite bendy and flexible. These are perfect for kids and/or adults with wide gaps between the teeth, food traps, orthodontic braces; sensitive or bleeding gums; implants or bridges; Oh and it comes in 10 different sizes.
GUM Original White Floss
If you’re a flossy kinda gal, you definitely will appreciate this quality, waxed floss. It contains micronized silica which helps to remove surface stains between teeth, where your toothbrush cannot reach. The floss is shred-resistant and it also contains fluoride. This product is recommended by dental professionals.
All Sunstar GUM products are available from dentists, Clicks, Dis-Chem, leading supermarkets and pharmacies.
WIN with Sunstar GUM!Sunstar GUM is giving you TWO opportunities to win some awsome Sunstar GUM prizes!
1. My Spreadsheet Brain blog giveaway: Simply pop on over to this specially marked Instagram post and follow the instructions. A Sunstar GUM hamper, to the value of R800 could be yours!
2. Sunstar GUM #GUMEssentialWorkers giveaway: Vote for your favourite #GUMEsssentialWorkers this September and you could win awesome Sunstar GUM prizes! To top this off, they will donate to the Dental Wellness Trust on your behalf. How cool is that?! Visit this page to vote.
Terms and conditions:
Giveaway closes on 23 September at midnight. Competition is open to SA residents only. Competition is not affiliated with Facebook or Instagram. T&C’s apply. Decision is final and we reserve the right to disqualify winners should entry mechanisms not be followed. Products are not redeemable for cash. Winners of any My Spreadsheet Brain competitions in the last 6 months will not be eligible to win.
Disclaimer: This post was written in collaboration with Ivodent
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It’s beginning to look a lot like…
“Iiiiiit’s beginning to look a lot like” … September. It’s September, people, calm down. And yes, when I speak to “people”, I’m actually talking to my spreadsheet brain… you know, “the girls” – my inner Susan and her sisters.
Anyways, soooo “the girls” want to start digging out the Christmas decorations already because my soul is in serious need of the over-the-top cheerfulness of the festive season. I need to feel some sort of renewed joy right now, like pronto, right this second.
To curb my enthusiasm (and mainly to avoid the wrath of a husband who is not ready for me to pump my Mariah Carey Christmas album), I’ve dedicated my pre-Christmas time to making my lists (and checking them twice… whaaaaaaat).
Mind you – it’s not all wasted time and longingly staring into the sky, in search of signs that Santa Clause really does exist. (I mean, is there even a doubt?!) I’m actually using this time to PLAN, my friends! Needless to say, “the girls” are so happy rn.
What am I planning? Well… Christmas gifts, for one. I figure that it’ll be super clever of me to begin my Christmas gifts shopping as early as possible. My December budget will thank me for this. I also want to use this time to stock up on Secret Santa gifts (we usually end up buying like 8 gifts for Secret Santa, because we belong to that many groups – its crazy! I mean, how many boxes of Clicks 2-for-1 chocolates does one really need?)It’s also a really good time to begin your Summer fashion shopping. Winter is the BEST time to go Summer shopping for kids! I’ve managed to get the kids some new cozzies and summery items already and I suspect my Black Friday hauls will help to add to the collection.
Guys – I’m even investigating my Christmas lunch options. This year, the fam and I are considering eating at a restaurant because let’s be honest, life is too short to stand around cooking huge pots of food and then to stand around washing copious amounts of dishes, while your pants button begs for mercy. Can’t do it. Won’t do it. Anyways – I am checking out the alternatives before they are fully booked.
Oh and don’t forget that January comes after December (amazing, I know, so mind-blowing). But what I mean by that is that you need to start prepping for that “back to school” spending now already, Patricia!
Don’t be like Old Luchae, who literally waited a week before school started, to make all those purchases. Old Luchae almost had a nervous breakdown. Old Luchae should be no one’s hero.
Anyways, my aim now is to try to buy any replacement school uniform items before December, so that I’m sorted in January. You can do the same with stationary lists (tip: find the next grades stationary list and use it as a guide).
There are a bunch of other things that I’ve been doing, to prep for the end of the old year and the start of the new one. (Whaaat don’t look at me like that Tiffany). You can check out that post over here. It’s filled with really good ideas, I promise.
I know I’m a bit pedantic with planning ahead – but it jingles my bells, okay? Have you begun planning for the festive season? The – uhhh- the girls want to know…
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5 habits that will help you to commit to date night
What do men’s shirt and date nights have in common? Well, in our home, both shirts for men and sexy date nights are sighted on an extremely rare occasion. In fact – what is this myth called “date night” and how do we get one??
Jokes aside – we are busy parents, okay? And, to be honest, we often struggle to commit to spending quality time together. BUT, date night is important, my friends. Especially when you are actively working towards keeping that marital fire burning! It is a must and a need!
Needless to say, when it comes to spending time together, Hubstopher and I do need a little bit of motivation. And nothing inspires us more than a fancy new spot to visit, a well-planned schedule and a cute new outfit to wear. I spotted a couple of sultry dresses (for me, obvz) and swanky looking formal shirts for men on Superbalist the other day and felt so inspired to make QT happen more regularly.
Also, it gave me a reason to go shopping (because my online shopping cart looks a lot less suspicious if there’s an occasional men’s formal shirts in the mix). But regardless, date night needed to become a regular thing!
I scoured the web and found a couple of easy ways to finally commit to a regular QT appointment! Let me know what you think and if you have any tips for us on how to stick to our new found commitment.
5 habits that will help you to commit to date night!
1. Take turns planning a monthly date night
Commit to date night atleast once a month – but (here’s the catch) decide on a day at the start of the month and stick to that date as if it were a work commitment. No unnecessary forfeits allowed! Take turns to plan the date night, each month. By swapping planning duties, we remove some of the burden off each other and we are able to surprise each other and make it extra special.
2. Create a cool/fun regime
Create fun date night traditions that make it easier for you to explore and experience new things together. One fun date night regime could be to explore a new restaurant or a new hot spot each month. Or perhaps you are the outdoorsy type and would be interested in exploring various outdoor activities. Whatever floats your boat! The idea is to spend time together and to grow together, as a couple.
3. Preparation is key
Proper date night preparation will help you to stay committed to the cause! Simple things like researching venues beforehand, having a date night budget each month, and making sure you have a team of babysitters to call on, will go a long way towards helping you stick to your date night appointment.
4. Date night can be “date day” too
Do not despise a day time “date night”, friend! Quality time, during the day, means you don’t need to splurge on a babysitter (if the kids are at school). A date, on a pretty sunny day can comprise of picnics, beach hangs or you could even spend time in nature while having a chat. Or hey, since you are alone at home (with kids at school) you could even hang out on your own couch – for free!
5. Make weekly quality time a thing
I realised that date nights don’t have to be once in a while thing. It has to be a lot more regular in order to keep the fire burning. Designating time, each week, to staying connect will help you to stay connected. Couch time and quick coffee dates can help with that! Tip: Ditch the phones!
Let me know if any of these tips will help you to commit to date night!
This post was sponsored by Superbalist
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5 Tips for Buying Kids Clothes Online
Online shopping is a vibe these days. With so many great online stores (like Superbalist) fully optimized to make your online shopping experience amazing, why leave the comfort of your couch to trek to the store anyways? I must admit though, when it comes to buying kids clothes online, it can be a bit daunting. Shopping for boys clothing, for me atleast, is always a little bit of a challenge since my children are giants.
But I’ve kinda developed a knack for finding the right fits AND the best deals online! So I thought I’d share some of my top tips with you. How kind of me, right? I know, I know, I try. Anyways, here are my 5 tips for buying kids clothes online:
- Size is important
When shopping for clothing for your kid, the norm is to try to find a size in relation to how old they are (6-7 years etc). But, when online shopping, I found that it’s a good idea to know your child’s weight and height measurements too! Most online stores have a “size guide”, that will help you to choose the right fit for your child. Trust me, girl, I’ve tried blindly choosing sizes that I thought would fit. Not ideal. Not ideal at all. By the way – because of my giant Ooma Loompas, I always by a size bigger.
- Read the reviews
Whenever I find something really amazing online I always check out the review section to find out what other people thought about the product. This helps you to determine if the item is true to size. I mean, children’s clothing sizes aren’t necessarily all uniform. This will also give you a better understanding of the fabric and detail of the item. When buying boys clothing I am especially concerned about buttons and zips… my kids are not polite when it comes to play and I’d hate to purchase something online, only to find the buttons popping off.
- Seasonal sales
I love me a good seasonal sale! Stocking up on sale items help me to prepare for the next season – the key is to purchase clothing one or two sizes up! Don’t forget to sign up to your favorite online stores email list to receive up-to-date info regarding their sales and promotions!
- Return policy
I would advise you to check out the stores return policy first, if you are not sure whether you’d like to keep an item. Some online stores may require that you pay for your own shipping, when returning a purchase. You might also want to know what the return policy window period is.
- Hello there, wish list
If you are as indecisive as I am, the ‘wish list’ tab is a good friend to have! I usually browse through my fave online store, adding all the items that I adore to my wish list. When I am ready to make a purchase, I can simply take a squiz through the wish list, comparing items and narrowing down which ones I want to buy. This helps SO much!
So those are my top tips for buying kids clothes online. I frequent Superbalist because I find that they have such a great range of funky wear for little girls and a cool selection of boys clothes.
Which online stores do you love?
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A hassle free Mother’s Day? Uber Eats gets it! (Giveaway!)
If I had to ask any super mom (so that’s, like, all of you) what they want for Mother’s Day, I bet you the top of the list will include things like: a clean house and a meal that they do not have to cook themselves. A hassle free Mother’s Day is every mom’s favorite type of Mother’s Day, right?
Well, I come with glad tidings of great joy, my friends! Uber Eats gets it – and aims to deliver! Our favorite delivery service has made it even easier for your family to give you a day off, this Mother’s Day.
For starters, I am so excited that the range of offerings available, within the app, has increased to include things like essentials, groceries, toiletries and even a partnership with Exclusive Books! How rad?!
That’s right, sista, your family is now able to purchase those essential groceries (so that Daddy can cook?) with just a few simple taps. I’m super impressed that Uber Eats, as a growing platform, aims to solve lifestyle needs and make our lives a lot easier! Standing ovation, anyone?Unable to see your own mom on Mother’s Day? You can use the ‘Share My Delivery’ feature to send your mom a meal or her favourite snacks, or even a gift from Exclusive Books, via the app! And guess what, it will even include a personalized message.
By the way, if you’re a ‘spreadsheet brain’ like I am, you’ll appreciate that you can ‘Schedule Orders’ via the app too. Yep – schedule an order anytime, up to an hour before the desired delivery window, and as far as a week out.
Exploring for the most yummy food in your area is as easy as pie too (see what I did there?) because the app has a unique feature that allows you to look up restaurants according to specific criteria like speed, price and dietary constraints.
Can somebody say “hassle free Mother’s Day”?!
Win with Uber Eats and My Spreadsheet Brain!Uber Eats would like to give one lucky Mom a Coupon Book to the value of R1000! (includes vouchers from Uber Eats, SweepSouth and Sorbet!)
If you’d like to enter, simply visit this specially marked post on Instagram and follow the instructions!
Terms and conditions
Giveaway closes on 14 May at midnight. Competition is open to SA residents only. Competition is not affiliated with Facebook or Instagram. T&C’s apply. Decision is final and we reserve the right to disqualify winners should entry mechanisms not be followed. Products are not redeemable for cash. Winners of any My Spreadsheet Brain competitions in the last 6 months will not be eligible to win.
Disclaimer: This post was written in collaboration with Uber Eats
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Instagram killed the blog – right?
Instagram killed the blog – right? Yes, this is my blog post title and, yes, I am feeling particularly salty about the whole ordeal hence me making it my opening line too. Instagram killed the blog. There, I said it again.
Okay, dramatics aside, I’ve actually come here to share some relevant and interesting information (and not to throw my metaphorical toys out of my metaphorical cot) so I should probably get to it, shouldn’t I?
So the question I pose to you, friend, is this: Has Instagram killed blogging? My answer to this question varies on any given day.
Has Instagram killed the blog?
I’m sure you may have noticed that I don’t post on this teeny tiny little blog as often as I use to. And while I most certainly (and frequently) use the fact that I’ve birthed 3 humans beings in a period of 6 years as the reason why I’m unable to type away on my computer during my free time (because free time… hahahaha… that sounds like a nice joke) the truth is that I’ve also had to shift my focus because the blogging industry is changing.
It’s changing because Instagram has now kinda opened up the game. Basically anyone can be a blogger these days (FYI: The word “micro-blogger” is the term of endearment given to people who blog via social media without a website and a 3000 worded essay).
In the past you had to build a website, think out a clever name for your little space on the net, buy a domain, type out long-form posts that are interesting and easy to consume and then get people to actually visit this space. Blogging – in this form – took a lot more effort and time and, hey, moola.
These days, anybody can start a micro-blog. Simply register on Instagram and Bob’s your uncle.
If you’re really good at taking pics and sharing a story via short-form visual media, then Bob’s probably your rich uncle. Oh and if, on top of that, you have enough time in your day to comment on a gazillion peoples posts, thus upping the engagement on your own account, then Bob’s your rich uncle who left you a lekker inheritance.
With that said, short-form blogging is a lot easier to consume (mindless Instagram scroll, anyone?) and, as a blogger, short-form blogging is easier to maintain.
What does that mean for the OG bloggers? Well, our websites now have to compete with the likes of Insta and Tik Tok. Attention spans are shorter, so if we want to keep our blog alive and relevant, we need to put out content that answers a question/serves a purpose. Because, for the most part, people aren’t coming on here to hear about your feelings. Long-winding captions on Instagram takes care of that.
For cool-nerds like me (sniff, sob), who are a lot better at writing than taking a pic (or even posing for a pic, let’s be honest) this really and truly sucks monkey balls. It sucks because less people read my blog posts and, with more brands wanting to partner with bloggers who have bangin’ Instagram accounts, it means that I have to focus my attention there.
But also, for cool-nerds like me who actually own a blog, well… I actually own a blog. What I mean by this is that your micro-blog on Instagram belongs to Instagram. Whereas the content on your blog site belongs to you. And if the Instagram algorithm changes for the worse (as is the trend) or if the app shuts down tomorrow (imagine that… so many models without a job) chances are your content will die a slow and painful death along with it.
The content on a blog is evergreen and with the right SEO (search engine optimization – it means Google will find your blog posts on the interwebs with the right keyword search). Your content can be relevant for years to come, gaining views even when you’ve forgotten about it. Whereas an Instagram post’s lifespan is – what – 48 hours?
So yes, lot’s of information. And I wasn’t even thaaaat salty in this post. Hope my mum is proud of me.
In conclusion I do feel that there is a place in the world for you and for me and the entire human race (heal the blog, make it a better place). I think that blogging is relevant today, but just in a different way. A blog post can inspire, motivate, educate and connect (more than just sell you the latest fad).And while consuming short-form media (i.e Instagram) may be easier, you probably won’t end up on Instagram when you find yourself asking Google for “C-Section Recovery Tips” at 3 in the morning. (I gotchu girl. See my actual blog post about that topic right here lol seriously.)
I mean, if you think about it, blogging has stood the test of time (hello ex-My Space users, wud rofl aslr?). The blog is the one medium that has kinda shouldered it’s way past the crowd of popular platforms (Vine, Facebook, Snap Chat) and cemented itself onto the top steps of the interwebs. Not quite going anywhere. But also… not quite going anywhere. (See what I did there?)
And I’d like to think that this means that blogging is not dead. I’d like to think that this proves that blogging is very much alive.
In fact, I’d go out on a gander and say that blogging will never ever die. Fingers crossed.
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5 tips on how to be inspirational
Being “inspirational” is a thing these days – did you know? I mean, if you want to stay relevant and top-of-mind, that is. We stan a relevant queen – mos. And a “relevant queen” is an inspiring queen. Mos.
I mean, let’s be honest, more than anything, people are scouring the interwebs looking for other people to emulate. Take me for example. If you are aspiring to be a coffee-drinking hermit that binges Netflix while glaring at your phone because someone dares to actually call you instead of texting, then you’ve visited the right blog. Welcome kindred heart.
Anyways, back to the point.
I was sitting here, proudly peeping at my nail growth and silently saying a prayer of gratitude to God for sending Sonia my “nail lady”, when I realised that I had actually been inspired to get my nails done after admiring an influencers nails on The Gram. Prior to that, I thought that I was above getting my nails done. You know? I thought that my natural nails were a lot more superior when compared to the acrylic/gel nails of others. (Yes, I had nail prejudice. I’m not proud of it.) Anyways a few trips to Sonia later and I have never seen such growth in my nails, like, ever! And all of this thanks to a moment of inspo from The Gram.
It made me realise that just about anyone can inspire, well, just about anyone else. You don’t have to sell lip kits to leave your mark on this world, sweetie. (Btw you’re doing great!)
By simply being your inspiring self and by boldly sharing your truth you could be inspiring someone to pursue that job change, or that relationship shift. And sure, I’ve mainly been inspired to buy quality make up and to dress better (apparently skinny jeans are not cool anymore – agree to disagree) but I’ve also totes been inspired in a bunch of other ways that has nothing to do with aesthetics. My influencer crushes are motivational and really deep (like, on a spiritual level, not on a “I drink Kombucha and eat Kale” level) and I learn a lot from them.
Anyways, because I’m like, SUCH a nice person and all, I thought to jot down tips on how to be inspirational.
I’m no pro when it comes to the topic of “how to be inspirational”. So these tips are based on what inspires me. These are the qualities that I’ve found in the people that I admire the most, and they are genuinely amazing human beings, so I feel like they must be doing something right. Right? Riiiiiiiiiight. Here we go:
5 tips on how to be inspirational (a study, based on the queens who inspire me)1. I am inspired by people who have a positive outlook on life. I’m all about taking da lemons and making da lemon meringue pie and then eating da lemon meringue pie. I think it’s pretty darn amazing to find the good in every situation. It’s also very Biblical, because God says that He is able to turn any bad situation around for your good. With that said, I draw a lot of inspiration from people who intentionally choose joy instead of bitterness/anger. Those are my peeps and the people I stan on the Gram.
2. I am inspired by those absolute queens who are able to be stellar moms and wives and business women all while maintaining their own personal upkeep. Self love is inspiring, yo. As moms, we often forget to look after ourselves. Heck, I can’t even buy myself a pair of shoes without the nagging feeling that I should rather spend the money on something for the kids. So I totally appreciate those unicorn mums who can do it all WHILE looking after themselves too. Continue to inspire us, sis. It’s rough outchere. *flashes grey hair for emphasis*
3. I am SO inspired by the mum influencers who keep it real. These days, social media is rife with people who like the same things and do things the same way. Heck, they even look like each other (seriously, how does everyone have perfect beachy waves, teeeach meeee *whiny voice*). And that’s cool, if that’s your vibe. But I sometimes feel pressured to do things the exact same way, so as to not be deemed irrelevant or not “with it”. Ya know? And THAT is why I so admire the brave hearts who step outside the box and go against the grain. It inspires me to do that too.
4. I am inspired by the ones who are kicking butt in their respective careers/fields of interest. I mean, it is no small feat trying to make your mark in a male dominated world. And even more so if you are trying to pursue a carreer/second income as am influencer/blogger. I mean, tis a pretty saturated arena, these days. Some of the more inspirational women, to me, are the ones who don’t back down and grind hard to make a success of themselves. Does it make me feel like a lazy slob? Yes. But do I choose to lay in bed and eat chocolate instead of working hard to make my own dreams a reality? Also yes. #workinprogress
5. Kindness inspires me. Some of my favorite influencers are so super kind, friendly and helpful, I can’t help but want to emulate that. I mean, it’s lekker to be sassy (she says while wiping the sass from her face) but when you’re salty and mean all the time, it kinda gives me the feels that you aren’t the type of person that I’d hang with in real life. And I get that we can get super aggressive when we are passionate about a cause… but it shouldn’t be at the expense of someone else. In my most humblest opinion.
Anyways, those are my 5 tips on how to be inspirational (based on a true story) (the true story is my actual life). I hope that this leaves you inspired to think up other inspiring tips that inspire you to be inspirational and inspiring! Drop your comments below and share them with us!
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Beauty pageant, shmeauty pageant
What if I told you guys that I won my high school’s beauty pageant, back in 1999. Would it cause you to view me differently, I mean, knowing that I am an award winning model and all?
Hehehe. I know, weird flex. Who brags about winning a teeny bopper beauty pageant more than 20 years ago. (Me, apparently.) But hey in my defense, my humble brag is a result of a cringey photo that I stumbled upon the other day.
The photo reminded me of my teenage years that were riddled with self-doubt and body issues. (So that’s, like, all the normal stuff). In fact, entering that beauty pageant was a feat on its own. I only entered because I come from a family of supermodels who all won their respective high school beauty pageants. It was tradition. And even though I was sans the supermodel gene, I felt it my duty to to carry on with this self-imposed family custom.
Psycho? Hahahahahha. Kinda.
Anyways, as I reminisce about this super cringey high school beauty pageant, I couldn’t help but think about my ouma.Gearing up for the pageant, my ouma was my biggest (secret) cheerleader.
Yeah “(secret) cheerleader” because even though she feigned interest when it came to my childish wants and needs, she often magically made a plan to make it all happen.
I remember rehearsing pageant dance sequences (that required actual dancing… the shock, the horror) at home, and having her glance over at me time and again, probably wondering why her granddaughter had decided to blacken the family name with horrendous dance moves.
But hey, regardless of my lack of dance moves though, my ouma was the one who ran around making sure I had all the items needed for the pageant. (It was the year 1999. A year of ‘spaghetti strap tops’ and ‘pedal pusher pants’ like the cool Gwen Stefani stans that we were.) As always, my ouma bent over backwards to make sure that her children had what they needed.
I mean, there was no way that I would win this thing. Well, that’s what I had thought. I didn’t enter it to win, anyways. I entered it to fulfill family tradition. Mos.
But my ouma made sure that I was as prepped as a winner should be. Even if it meant giving her last few coins to buy the necessities.
At the end of the night, when the judges called my name as the winner, a bunch of thoughts crossed my mind, in this sequence:“Yayyyy number 5 won!”
“Oh wait, I’m number 5.”
*pause for confusion*
“I think they made a mistake”
At this point I said “huh, ME?!” outloud.
“Okay Luchae walk to the front of the stage and don’t make eye contact with the other girls.”
“Oh look… my whole family is standing and screaming like actual lunatics.”
“Why is Ma sitting down? Wait… is she…. crying?”
And… yeah… at that moment, I realised that I had won it for her. Winning this (very small, probably unimportant) beauty pageant wasn’t important to me. But seeing my granny reap the fruit of her labor made it all worth it in the end.
If she were around today she’d see that her (secret) cheerleading motivated and empowered me to make a success of my life. Her sacrifices paved the way for my successes. Her selfless giving enabled me to do things that she probably only dreamt of doing. I miss her.
I hope I can be that for someone else one day… you know? A (secret) cheerleader, like my ouma was for me.
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What do you know about the Uber In-App Emergency Button?
I recently learnt about the Uber In-App Emergency Button and, I must admit, the e-hailing service went from amazing to even more amazinger™ (words by Luchae) in my books!
At the end of a busy day at the office, nothing is more relaxing to me, than a scenic drive home. There’s something about the peace and quiet, after the bustle of a busy day, that hits me right in the feels. And, when I’m not driving myself home, I must admit I get a kick out of sinking into the backseat of an Uber, while the driver’s choice of music settles my mind. I mean, as a mom who works full-time, nothing beats a couple of minutes of “alone time” albeit in an Uber.
I’ve always felt safe during my Uber trips. And I appreciate that their safety measures are so stringent. I mean, with all the e-hailing services available these days, I take comfort in knowing that Uber sets the standard for safety by having over 20 dedicated features to ensure its community’s wellbeing.
For starters, Uber’s checklists (that riders and drivers must acknowledge before the ride), ensures that both parties are Covid-19 compliant.
The Check Your Ride protocol helps you to verify that you are getting into the right car. Riders have a view of the driver’s information, including photo, license plate and car make/model.
You are also able to share your location – giving a loved one access to your geolocation and ETA all in real-time!
With Uber’s Safety Toolkit, the app houses all its unique safety features in one convenient spot. Identifiable by a shield logo, it can be found on the bottom right when on the app. Trusted Contacts and the in-app emergency button can all be accessed from this by simply tapping on the shield.In fact, you are able to designate up to five friends and family members as Trusted Contacts, to be prompted to share trip details with them during every ride or night-time trips. How cool is that?
A key feature that certainly stands out is the In-App Emergency Button. During a ride, with the push of a button in the app, you can connect directly to private security and medical assistance when needed via a third-party supplier. This key feature sets the app high in my rankings as an option of travel (especially when alone), as a female!
Thanks to technology, Uber’s Ride Check can even identify rare events like unexpected stops or possible crashes, with its response team contacting you to check on your safety!
I mean, how’s that for riding with safety?! These safety measures, and the e-hailing services commitment to driver and rider safety, is what sets Uber apart for me, without a doubt!
This post was paid for by Uber South Africa
