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Throwback Thursday: Re-introducing Eliza Foogle
I’ve been blogging for many years.
I think 1Direction still attended primary school when I created this account.
But I did not start off as a “public blogger”. In fact, I only started sharing my posts via social media at the beginning of this year, when I blogged about breastfeeding and thought that other moms would appreciate my positive angle on it.The more I think about it, the more I realize how down I was on myself, with regards to writing.
I mean, I wanted to write. I wanted to be a writer. But I did not deem myself worthy enough.
Even after my great revelation in 2011 where I realized that all I need to do to be a writer is to WRITE (so profound hey) I still held myself back, with doubt and negative “stinking thinking”.I had started writing my first book in 2008 (I mentioned it here) – a quirky story about a nerdy teenager, Eliza Foogle, who, just like me, had the most randomest life ever. But alas, as with most things I start, I lost vooma. I mean, I had a lot going on in my life. So my focus shifted and I kinda just ditched the project.
And then after my “great writers revelation” I tried to pick up where I left off and wrote another chapter or 2. I decided to post it on my blog (even though no one would read it), as a way to hold myself accountable to finishing it. That never happened.
Today, while looking for something else, I discovered Eliza Foogle again. What a huge throwback for me!
It reminded me of the fearful girl I was back then and the brave woman I am today. (Self proclaimed).
I don’t know if I will ever finish Eliza Foogle. I may never write another chapter again. But I believe that sharing this draft is the first step towards unleashing whatever has been placed inside of me. As I’ve said in a previous throwback post, every passion planted in your heart, was put there on purpose. And it is our great responsibility to do something purposeful with it!So, dear friends, it is with great joy and much trepidation and a lot of “I’m so scared right now”, that I reintroduce Eliza Foogle to you. Please be kind š
Here’s a little snippet with a link to the rest of the original post, which I published on my blog in July 2011.
“All my life, I thought of myself as being fairly smart. Not especially clever, but not stupid either. I knew the right side of up and could figure out most of the cryptic crosswords in my weekly glossy magazine. I was the kind of girl who shouted out all the answers while watching The Weakest Link every Tuesday night, but would stutter when asked a simple question, like: What is your name? But today, as I lay here on my kitchen floor with apple pie clinging to my long dark hair, surrounded by broken records, torn photographs and an aging Beetles t-shirt, I realize that I am not smart at all. I, Eliza Foogle, am a silly silly woman…” to the original post
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Pray for Paris – Oh the audacity!
Pray for Paris.
Donāt pray for Paris.
Pray for Paris.
Don’t pray for Paris.
How tiring the past few weeks of social media have been!
The citizens of Paris lost over 140 friends and family members on the evening of November 13th, as terrorists took to the city’s northern suburbs in an array of violence that left so many lives forever changed. The entire world was stunned. Social media platforms were abuzz with #PrayforParis hashtags and Parisian flag bedecked profile pics.But that’s not the tiring part.
The tiring part was the many outraged posts that followed. Some people – Ā I am assuming those who were suddenly given Prayer Expert license – were fuming because how dare everyone want to pray for Paris. Oh the audacity of them! No, people should not pray for Paris, they should rather pray for *insert something more worthy here*.I cringed as I saw ugly claws come out. The people of Paris were forgotten. Instead of debating on how we could work together to alleviate these hate crimes or help to restore hope and peace to the broken parts of the world, some chose to debate about how RIGHT they thought they were and how WRONG other people are.
Like, who cares?
Do you think that the little girl in Paris, who lost her mommy, cares about your thought on who your neighbor should be praying for? Do you think the man who lost his family in Beirut, Lebanon, where 43 were massacred, wondered ever so slightly as to what anyone was saying about Paris-flagged Facebook profile pics and why you don’t have a Lebanese flag up there, instead?Why, dear privileged people of social media world, do we take everything as an opportunity to make it all about ME ME ME? I shuddered as I watched how the Ā killings in Paris, the loss in Beirut and the tragedy that occurred in Kano, Nigeria, where 15 were killed, was turned into one big soap box. Oh look, an opportunity to make this all about MY OPINION. (But first… let me take a selfie!)
Then came the “Why I did not pray for Paris” blog posts. Some argued that they would prefer to keep their prayers, you know, closer to home. Let’s first pray for us and ours and THEN we’ll throw in a prayer for the rest of the world. Some said that they didn’t believe that praying for Paris would help anyways, because, you know, the world was created by accident. So there’s actually no one to pray to. (That’s a sad thought). Others said that Paris did not deserve their prayers because the people of Paris have done some crappy things in their past and surely they deserve whats coming to them. Because, you know, we are all amazingly perfect, shame except the people of Paris. They should die.
I’m sorry that I’m being harsh (sorry not sorry) but I just find it incredible how we are able to take great tragedy and turn it into another way of segregating each other. There is power in unity and when we, as the people of this planet, stand together can you imagine the change that we are able to bring about? Even more so when we PRAY together!
I mean, what if we united and took this #PrayforParis thing seriously… What if we aren’t just posting the hashtag to show our “ag shame man”… What if we aren’t just updating our profile pics so that we could also have the cool photo overlay. What if we actually prayed and our prayers for Paris were laced with fervent pleas to soften the hearts of the militant gangs who are wreaking havoc and killing hundreds across the globe daily. What if, while praying for Paris, people would begin to ask God for a healing and to open the eyes of those who are under the ISIS curse. And, as we all come into agreement, change starts to happen slowly but surelyā¦ What would that change mean for our children and our children’s children?
So I will, in fact, be praying for Paris. For Lebanon. For Nigeria. For you. For me. For the world. Because prayer means that I have the faith that God hears.
And when God hears our faith talking, He moves. -
Gift ideas: What to put under the tree this Christmas {featuring yours truely}
I love Christmas! But I don’t love “uhmming” and “ahhhing” about what to get my family and friends for Christmas. So I’ve called in the experts! As a build up to the most wonderful time of the year, a few of my blogging buddies have agreed to share their ideas on amazing Christmas gifts for the whole family. Check out their picks and please, by all means, feel free to choose something special to put under MY Christmas tree too š
I’ve been enjoying the different gift ideas my friends, JustEllaBella and Melanie have sent through for my “What to put under the tree this Christmas” series. So I thought, “Oh what the hey! Share your favorite ideas too!” and so now I am. Ta daaa!As you may or may not know, my newly extended family means that I get to think up incredible gifts for 2 more kideos (step son and baby girl), so that means more gift-gifting drama and intrigued in our household. Woohoo!
I love Christmas because December means summertime in good ol South Africa!
I love the feeling of freedom and fun and that there are sooo many exciting things to do.
I also love that everyone is in that “togetherness” spirit – wish we could learn to appreciate each other like that all year around!Here are my favorite Christmas gift picks:
photo: goodtimebanjos.dom For my special someone
My husband is a musician and a music buff. He loves anything that sounds different (think banjos and instruments made out of tin cans). So I think he’d actually appreciate a real banjo as a Christmas gift. If not that then some cool CD’s and DVD’s. Those are always winners! I’v found that Takealot always gives me CD/DVD bundles that are so worth the spend! I also love to Bid or Buy really old/hard to find albums that makes him go “where’d you find THAT?!”. I’ve done this once and he really appreciated it!
For the kids
My little girl is really easy, since she’s all of 1 years old. She has this obsession with books right now. (She even tears out her favorite pages so that she can kiss the characters on them. Not ideal, but okay who am I to curb her affection.) So I’d probably get her some more books and perhaps a doll. Every girl needs a doll. Our boys are 14 and 9. The 14 year old has a passion for fashion (yep, he’s at THAT age), so probably clothing or vouchers. The 9 year old also loves books (sometimes I swear that he’s in fact my biological and the other one is my husbands!). I plan to take him to his first musical this December – I have a feeling it’s going to open some theater doors in his life! Whoop whoop. He also really loves soccer, so maybe a soccer ball or something soccer related. I might also get them a new XBox game (to share).
For me
Here’s the thing, I don’t really get that many Christmas gifts. I know, right? One would think that as the queen of the house, I would be bedecked with presents every year! But I would definitely appreciate small things like new slippers or pretty Essence Gel Look and Sinful Colors nail polish.
Special mentions
Bath salts and spoils are always a nice treat, if you’d like to get a whole bunch of something and wrap it up for when an unexpected visitor pops in. For guys, try biltong packs. I am also considering taking the 2 hand bags that I’ve never used and filling them up with sanitary goods, treats and special goodies, to bless someone who may not have as much as I do. It IS the season of giving after all. Who says it needs to stop with your family?
What are your favorite gift ideas, this Christmas? -
Music Monday: Wow Hits 2016 {GIVEAWAY!}
I always enjoy reviewing compilation albums because it’s like chucking a box of smarties, jelly tots and sour worms into a carton of popcorn and putting your hand in to see what you will get first! The 2016 collection of songs are a mixture of funk, honky-tonk, deep wells and power ballads. I really enjoyed listening to it!
Gateway News is giving away 2 of those albums in their latest giveaway. More info can be found in the actual review. Here’s a snippet of it:
>>>“Opening track āGreaterā by pop-rock band, MercyMe, does a good job as an introduction. It has a folksy, honky-tonk vibe with a great message taken from 1 John 4:4: āGreater is He living in me, than He who is living in the world.ā
Third Day teams up with All Sons and Daughters in their hit single, āSoul on fireā ā a Gospel praise track that also has elements of folk in it. The vocals on this track is gritty and raw and really does the song justice. Itās this and other distinctive tracks like āFrom this dayā by I Am They or the soulful āBrotherā by Needtobreathe that makes this collection refreshing.Other favourites such as Dove Award winner, Lauren Daigles hot debut single, āHow can it beā and the always trending Jamie Graceās āDo life bigā, were obvious choices for the album along with songs from Kari Jobe (āI am not aloneā) and the Passion Conference team (āEven so come.ā)I really enjoyed being introduced to Francesca Battistelliās Christian pop song āHe knows my nameā, Casting Crowns āBroken togetherā and Hillsong Unitedās āTouch the skyā. Other notable additions are tracks from TobyMac (āBeyond meā), Plumb (āLord Iām ready nowā) and the thought-provoking āSave my lifeā by group, Sidewalk Prophets…<<<For your chance to win a copy of this album, check out the entire Gateway News review and scroll to the bottom, for instructions. -
How to pose for pictures: 8 photo hacks!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s also the most photographed time of the year, if you know what I mean. The weather permits us to wear less and festivities encourages us to take more photos, and I’m just over here like “aaack, somebody stand in front of me!” Are you that person? Do you know how to pose for pictures? Or do you mentally cringe when you see a camera and tell yourself to Ā “get ready to suck it all in and smile!”Well, today I come with glad tidings of great joy, my friends! My endless watching of Tyra Banks and America’s Next Top Model has certainly paid off. How, you ask? Well, thanks to Miss Banks, I now know that there are ways to beat the bad photo blues.
Yes, that’s right,Ā you can definitely learn how to pose for pictures in ways that are both flattering and appealing. Well, models have been practicing it for years, isn’t it? And Google is filled with various tuts and videos, instructing us how to do so. And now it’s time for us, normal civilians, to get in on the action too! Here’s what I’ve learnt:
Slimmer torso
Twist your torso so that one shoulder is turned towards the camera and the other away from it. A straight-on body shot will give the appearance of a wider torso. Standing at an angle will give the appearance of a slimmer torso.
Unflab your arms
Placing your hand on your hip will not only slender your arm, but it will also help to give the appearance of a more prominent waist line. If the hand on the hip pose does not work for you, try holding your arms out from your sides, slightly. The trick is to make sure your arm is not pressed against your body.
Pretty postureĀ
Standing and sitting up straight will help to elongate your figure. Pulling your shoulders back will also accentuate your collarbone.
Double chin no more
Elongating your neck, by pushing your face out slightly, will help to create an illusion of no double chin. Keeping your chin up and out and your face at an angle, rather than full on facing the camera, is also more flattering. A few celebrities swear that keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth will also help with making your face seem slimmer. Go figure!
Tame your eyesĀ
If you tend to blink a lot in photos or you seem to have a squint in your pics, try to close your eyes just before the picture is taken and open them slowly before the snap.
Itās all about the angle
Always try to avoid being photographed from below. A low angle will add on the pounds and make you look heavier than you are. A higher angle ā think: above the eye line ā will not only be more flattering, but when you turn your face upwards; it will elongate your neck and torso.
How to group selfie
When taking a group pic remember to never stand on the end! Stand in the middle, with your body slightly turned. This rule works especially well when the group poses in semi-circle format because whatever is closest to the camera will appear to be larger.
Sitting pretty
If you have to sit, be sure to cross your legs at your ankles. This not only looks more elegant and prevents excess thigh disclosure, it also makes your thighs and calves look slimmer. By strategically placing your arms in front of you, you can also hide any unsightly bulges.Well there you have it! Thank you for the applause, but please, you must know thatĀ the advice is not my own. Instead, find links to their source articles below. My pleasure.
Resources:
http://stylecaster.com/beauty-high/how-to-look-skinny/#ixzz3s1FUYm3v
http://dailymakeover.com/how-to-be-photogenic/#ixzz3s1DLWbBx
http://instyle.com/beauty/10-ways-look-better-pictures
http://www.whowhatwear.co.uk/how-to-look-thinner-in-photos-selfies-instagram-spring-2014/slide13
http://stylecaster.com/beauty-high/how-to-look-skinny/
http://blog.ravenbergphotography.com/?p=258 -
Identity Theft: So I’ve been Catfished…
Hello, my name is Luchae, and I’ve been catfished. And the crowd goes wild.
I know, what an opening statement. But I’ve come here to explain, so I hope you brought your coffee and a comfy blanket.
Okay, so for those of us (yes, I’m looking at you, Magda) who may not know what it means “to be catfished”, Wikipedia explains it rather nicely like this: “On the internet, a “catfish” is someone who creates fake personal profiles on social sites using someone else’s pictures and false biographical information to pretend to be someone else.”
So when I say “I’ve been catfished” it basically means that, yep, I’ve been the victim of a catfish. Someone created a fake personal profile and used my pictures and some of my info, in order to pretend to be someone else.
Rather fun, innit?
I mean, it’s not something that I would be adding to my resume anytime soon, but it definitely gave me a wake up call with regards to internet safety. I know you’re curious now. So here’s the tea:
A couple of years ago (before I met my Hubstopher) I received a very weird Facebook DM from a stranger. The stranger was a young man and upon sleuthing (yes, I’m practically a private investigator okay, don’t undermine my levels of social media investigating) I discovered that homeboy lived in Kwazulu-Natal, was a couple of years my junior and did not have a single mutual friend in common with me.
He also had questionable taste in golfshirts and an apparent love for hair gel, but that’s irrelevant.
Anyhow, I wasn’t exactly thrilled at giving my email address to an obviously emotional lurker, but this guy was as persistent as a mosquito on a hot summers night. Relentless.
Also, I was curious. There, I said it.
After much back and forthing, curiosity won, and I finally gave him my deets.
What he sent to me shocked me!
He began his story right at the beginning, explaining that he had turned to Mxit (90’s kids – hollar) in desperate need of company, after breaking up with the love of his life a few years prior.
For those who dont know (hey TikTokkers) Mxit was the cellphone chatting platform of choice back then. It is different to Whatsapp because you log in to the app via your cellphone number and password each time you want to chat. It was exclusive because you could only chat to people once one of you had invited, and accepted, the other.
So yaaa, homeboy logged onto Mxit, joined a chat room and tried to find new love to help mend his broken heart. Where do broken hearts go? To Mxit, apparently. And it worked, because he met a lovely young lady and the two fell hopelessly inlove with each other. It was like love at first chat. She counseled him through his break up and they shared intimate moments together. It eventually led to them having a serious online relationship where they chatted every day and shared “I love yous”.
They called each other often and sent each other countless photos – he said it felt like they knew each other for years, even though they had never met. He basically went into detail (I mean, he practically wrote a whole Mills&Boons novel) detailing every freckle on her face, the way her head tilted when she smiled, the lines of her cheekbones.
And even though they had never met (and video call wasn’t a thing back then), he would still look at her pics every night, before bed time and say a prayer, before kissing it goodnight. (Yes, kissing the pics goodnight. Yes.)
Clearly the guy was smitten. Now, up until this point, ya girl was engrossed. I mean, how could I not want to know more? He had penned quite a story, and I was waiting for the plot twist.
He went on to detail exactly how inlove they were until the day (plot twist!) when he discovered that girlfriend was not who she said she was. Dum dum duuuummmmm!
In a nutshell, he received the password to her Mxit app and when he logged in, realised that she had lied to him about her identity. She had been lying about her name this whole time. He eventually found out what her real name was and used it to search for her on Facebook. This is where he discovered that she had lied about her age, occupation and hometown too. But, worst of all, she was not the same girl as the one in her pics!
He freaked out (same) and began to look through her Facebook friends list to see if they had any friends in common. And that’s when he spotted her “fake” face… you know, the face that he had been kissing goodnight for years.
And her face belonged to another name. Her face belonged to me. Dum dum duuuuuuuuuuuuuuum!
One of the many pics that he had of me He immediately connected the dots and realized that his girl had been sending him MY photos for years! He felt cheated and betrayed. I dont blame the oke, shame man.
Anyways, and that’s when he decided to make contact with me to let me know that someone was stealing my pics and passing it off as their own. He was extremely emotional about it, saying that he feels like he has been living a lie, because he was so inlove with this girl and it was one big charade.
And as for me? Well, yeah, I was just as freaked out. I immediately changed my privacy settings and, you know, stopped accepting every single friend request.
I kinda begged him to tell me her name, because she obviously was one of my Facebook friends and I wanted to have a word with her (well, a few words… colourful ones maybe). But through it all, his love for her was so strong that he decided to protect her identity. Sigh, what a love story. *crickets chirping*
Found on muslima.com! But wait, there’s more.
As if that wasnt enough to generate a large freak out session, I received another message from a Muslim friend who politely asked me why I (a Christian girl) had uploaded a profile onto Muslim dating website, Muslima.
That’s right, friends, my catfish did it again! This time, she created a fake profile on the dating website, hoping to find a … I don’t know… a husband? Not sure what the end game would be, once she finds said husband and has to explain why her information (and, you know, her actual face) does not fit the info on the website. But hey, I am but a pawn in this game.
The Muslima profile has since been removed.
Thanks to the MTV series ‘Catfish: The TV Show‘ we’ve become a lot more wiser to the concept of “catfishing” (referring to identity theft). I’d like to think that we don’t believe everything we see on the internet anymore. Also, this definition of the word “catfish” has been added to the dictionary. So that’s a win. Well, somewhat.
But, if I could give you advice (I’m no expert, so get a second opinion maybe) it’s this: be mindful of the people you interact with on social media. You don’t have to accept every friend request. Don’t believe everything you see or read. Use reverse image search to find the origin of any images that they’ve sent you. Use common sense and trust your gut, when chatting to strangers.
Also, maybe don’t fall inlove with a girl in a Mxit chatroom.
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Gift ideas: What to put under the tree this Christmas {featuring Melanie Blignaut}
I love Christmas! But I don’t love “uhmming” and “ahhhing” about what to get my family and friends for Christmas. So I’ve called in the experts! As a build up to the most wonderful time of the year, a few of my blogging buddies have agreed to share their ideas on amazing Christmas gifts for the whole family. Check out their picks and please, by all means, feel free to choose something special to put under MY Christmas tree too š
Melanie blogs over at Wind in a Letterbox and I really admire all the crafty things she gets up to with her darling little girls Angie (5) and Emmy (3). She is a homeschooling mom, who loves the Lord, so all their crafty attempts usually have a lesson tied to it – I love that! I cant wait to try some of it out with my Curly one day.
Mel always comes across as really sentimental, much like I am, so I was really eager to see what she has up her sleeve this Christmas.
Here are her favorite Christmas gift list picks:
CDs and DVDs: Always a great gift idea! For my special someone
My husband is a movie buff, so he’s always happy when I buy him the DVD of a movie he really likes and doesn’t already own. I usually put a DVD or CD in his Christmas stocking, and give him something more personal for his actual present. I haven’t yet decided what I’m going to give him this year, but it might be something handmade, like this date night jar I made for his birthday or something the little boy in him would love, like this light saber torch or Darth Vader action figure. If I go with a personalised, handmade gift then I get bonus wife points for the “one of a kind, made especially for you” aspect. Also, I know I’m not buying him something that he might already have (like a CD that he may have on his iTunes account). If I get him something for his inner child, I also get bonus wife points because, well, what little boy hasn’t dreamed of his very own light saber? š
Outdoor equipment for the kids maybe? Photo: livestrong.com For the kids
I’m not going to mention the F-word, because my girls (Angie is 5 and Emmy is 3) have enough Elsa and Anna paraphernalia for a lifetime. I always give some practical things in their stockings (like new toothbrushes and loofahs) as well as fun things (like stickers and hair accessories). For their big gift, I’ve been thinking of getting one of these mini trampolines. Okay, to be honest, this gift is mainly for me. As in, “Go jump away that excess energy before you drive me nuts.”
takealot.com For me
I’ve been thinking that I might like to have a Kindle. (Even though I said I would never, ever, not in a million years get one. Never say never.) I’ve got the app on my laptop because I’ve discovered there are tons of free kindle books on Amazon, but I don’t want to sit reading books on my laptop.If someone were to gift us an all-expenses-paid trip around the world, that would be amazing. š
Photo: Joburg South Special mentions
I like to give homemade cookies to our friends and family at Christmas. Last year, I made gingerbread cookies; the year before, sugar cookies. We usually buy clothing for our nieces (because shopping for little girls is just such fun).What are your favorite gift ideas, this Christmas?
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Music Monday: Tasha Cobbs – One Place Live {GIVEAWAY!}
Last week I reviewed the breathtaking new offering from Gospel sensation, Tasha Cobbs, on behalf of Gateway News. Besides for being a chart topping recording artist, she is also a Grammy Award winner and walked away with the auspicious Artist of the Year Award at the 2015 GMA Dove Awards, earlier this year.
Gateway News will be giving away a copy of Cobbs latest album, One Thing Live.
Here is a snippet of the review and a link for the competition.
It is a worthy addition to any album collection!>>> On listening to āOne Place Liveā this week, I was immediately struck by the authority she carries, as she ministers one word-based song after the other. Itās clear to see that Tasha Cobbs is not here to play around and up her āfame-gameā. The album shows an uncaged, dynamic worshipper, crooning and roaring and she leads others into unadulterated worship and admiration for King Jesus. She has shared that the songs on the album stem from a multitude of moments in her personal worship experience. āThey are what we call songs of the Lord,ā she explained. āI can be leading worship or getting dressed for worship and a song will simply fall on me.ā
The albumās first single, āJesus Savesā, is one of the many that God had deposited in her, when she was in a time of need, struggling to overcome depression. āGod spoke to me and gave me peace. Not just spiritual salvation; He saved me from the rejection and depression I used to feel,ā Cobbs explained. āJesus can save you from whatever it is youāre being overtaken by. Thatās what this song is about.ā
I loved the opening track, āImmediately,ā which is a Gospel praise song that would do well in a choral setting. This up tempo track speaks about praising Him in the midst of the battle! She so passionately sings: āI lifted my hands/And opened my mouth/Immediately/God worked it out!ā I see this song as a war cry ā a reminder to praise Him before I see the victory because He has already conquered.
If youāre looking for a taste of Cobbās ferocity and passion, then have a listen to āJesus did itā. This song literally made me say āHa!ā a few times! It is a testimony track, where she belts and prophesies about what God is busy doing, has done and is going to do! She ends each stanza off by roaring āJesus did it!/Oh yes He did!ā You canāt help but to get excited and expectant!
I am enjoying the honest lyric found in this collection of songs. Title track āOne placeā (featuring Pastor Bertha Cobbs), is prime example, where she sings āIām here because I wanna be/Iām here because I choose to be/Iām here because I love to be/In Your presence.ā Yes! Nail on the head! It is a sincere, beautifully delivered worship ballad that I am sure will resonate in many hearts. Itās so evident that Miss Cobbs has shared of herself and her personal relationship with the Lord in each song…ā<<<For your chance to win a copy of this album, check out the entire Gateway News review and scroll to the bottom, for instructions.
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It’s been a year: Remembering Bianca-Anne Harper Agherdien
A year ago today my mom came over to visit our new born babe when she received a devastating message from a close friend, āplease pray for Bianca, she might not make it.ā
For those who donāt know, Bianca-Anne Harper Agherdien, was a former Miss Port Elizabeth and the darling of the city. She was crowned Miss PE in 2010, and wore the title with pride, serving the people of Port Elizabeth during and well after her reign. Well known for her big heart and being involved with community projects, she was one of those kinds of people who lived the same life ābehind the scenesā as she did in front of the camera and Iāve always admired her, her natural beauty and the brave way she stood for what she believed in.
Bianca-Anne was involved in a tragic head on collision on 11 November 2014 and passed away on the 13 November 2014 at the age of 28. My daughter was 13 days old.
Now, to set things straight: unlike the rest of PE (it seems), I never had the privilege of spending time with this amazing young women or her husband, Anver, or any of her family members, for that matter. But it was clear to see that she was respected and admired. People were drawn to her and wanted to be around her. Her language was always filled with positivity and she had a naturally kind heart, with pure intentions.
Her friends have shared that she was adventurous, to a degree, but that she also loved to be in the comfort of familiarity ā her home, her friends and her family. Her pics showed me that she knew how to look good. She took care of her appearance. But other pics gave away that she also did not mind getting messy, if it meant that she could help someone in need; or bedecked with paint, for a moment of fun. I knew that she was educated and saw education in a serious light. I knew that she loved the Lord. I knew that she was loved and that she loved to love others.
Wow, thatās a lot of stuff to know about someone you donāt really know. Her death was a huge tragedy in our local community and so many were impacted by it, because of her beautiful nature and also because of all that she represented. Bianca-Anne represented hope, and that hope was passed on to us, as we prayed for her recovery. So it was a huge shock to us when we heard of her passing. My mom, sister and I sat in silence and disbelief, almost whispering as we tried to make sense of it all, hearts breaking for the loved ones of this remarkable young lady whom weāve never met before.I remember looking at my precious baby girl, suddenly feeling amazed at the circle of life. A baby girl is born, a young woman is taken away.Ā No one is immune to death, no matter how incredible or loved they are.Ā Life is a gift and tomorrow is not promised. What are we leaving behind? Her passing was a reminder that there is a bigger plan and purpose for each life.
I couldn’t help but feel that the death of this beloved beauty queen and my little girls new life to be connected somehow, in my heart. It was like someone dumped a bucket of ice water over my head. It was a wake up call – a reminder to live a life that would inspire and motivate my own daughter. As Bishop T.D Jakes so eloquently said: “It’s not what you leave to your children, it’s what you leave IN your children. Start thinking generationally, prepare the way for them.Ā
Because of Bianca-Anne Harper Agherdien, I suddenly wanted my daughters life to mean something – not that I didn’t before – but there was now an urgency; an almost desperation to make sure that my girl lives her life with purpose.Ā Ā I want her life to add value and leave behind legacy. I want my curly to be the kind of woman that others would look up to and learn from. I want my daughter to feel loved to the point of overflow, where she is able to effortlessly love those around her… even those who some deem as unlovable and unwanted. I want her to know her worth. I want her to take risks. I want her to fight for what she believes in. I want her to be a blessing to others.And so, as I looked through Facebook today, I am reminded, yet again, of the beautiful life that Bianca-Anne lived and the many things that I am trusting God for my own daughter, because of her death.
God is always intentional. And although He has given this hopeless human race the huge responsibility of CHOICE, He is always standing by, waiting to turn our bad situations into good… if we let Him. Ā I know that many see Bianca-Anne’s death as a huge tragedy – and it is! It is such a huge loss to society, her friends and family members – But God, in all His cleverness and compassion, has turned it around for good by using her life as a testimony to others. He is faithful.
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Gift ideas: What to put under the tree this Christmas {featuring JustEllaBella}
I love Christmas! But I don’t love “uhmming” and “ahhhing” about what to get my family and friends for Christmas. So I’ve called in the experts! As a build up to the most wonderful time of the year, a few of my blogging buddies have agreed to share their ideas on amazing Christmas gifts for the whole family. Check out their picks and please, by all means, feel free to choose something special to put under MY Christmas tree too š
Elle, blogs over at JustEllaBella. She is mom to Aidan (a very opinionated 2 year old curly kid) and wife to Robin. She also runs online kids boutique, Oh!Boy, and can pretty much make anything out of anything. Literally. Anything. Out of anything.
Here are her favorite Christmas gift list picks:
Ooh! Box For my special someone
My hubby is a total foodie so I think something like the Ooh!Box – R559. (Each box has 4 Wines, One āHotā Drink, One Condiment, One Sweet Treat and One Gourmet Treat) You donāt have to fully subscribe so getting a box just for Christmas is very possible. He loves trying new things so this is a bit of everything and it takes us away from all the darn Xbox giftsFor the kids
My baba is 2 and a half but will argue tooth and nail that he is 6. I looove the Kids Book Club subscription which basically means that for R145 a month he gets two books (plus two magazines for mom) and a bag delivered every month which is awesome. After the Chrismas excitement wears off the book club keeps on giving, I like that he gets something every month, also I donāt have to pay for the whole year in one go, I donāt have money like that.
Little Black Bag For me
Okay mine is a subscription box too, Iām not sure why I am all subscriptiony this yearā¦I want the Little Black Bag at R249 you get a ton of spoils honestly itās like 6 designer products ALL FOR ME!!! I never spend money on myself really so this would be great, once off spoil.
Oh! Boy Special mentions
I love hand made gifts, so I make a lot of things for my loved ones, I also own a little kids accessories business, Oh!Boy, so this year I get to make on behalf of others which is incredibly special to me ļWhat are your favorite gift ideas, this Christmas?
