Holiday Hoo-Haa

This morning my dad forwarded an article for me to read. It was written by a young lady who spoke about Christmas holidays and all the (some) obligatory meetings one has to endure during this time of the year. Parties, visits, bumping into people in crowded shopping malls...things like that. With such meetings comes the inevitable questions surrounding ones career, love life or current location of dwelling.

Truth be told, I have been mulling over this topic for the past few days as I wanted to write about this very topic as well.

Most people who know me fairly well will vouch that I enjoy going out and socializing. I love meeting friends over a good meal or sitting in a quaint coffee shop chattering away.

However, when I arrive in my hometown for the holidays, I turn into somewhat of a recluse. My family knows this. Malls? No thank you. Eat out? No thank you. I don't use the word, "friend" loosely so I am comfortable to say that I have very few friends in my hometown who I arrange to meet and catch up with.

I consider my trips "home" a success if, when I am about to leave, I've seen very few people. I know this sounds harsh, but hear me out.

Comments and questions I try to avoid at all costs come from people who I know genuinely mean no harm. But little do they know that their 'innocent' questions could pierce very sore spots that I am otherwise trying to either avoid or heal.

So...asking for the umpteenth time what I do, and then give a look as if to say, "Oh...is that a real job?" to asking me if I know So-and-So who also recently relocated to Cape Town, to something which stabs me of late, "Please tell me you have a man now!"

The last time I went back after a short trip home, I remember telling someone, "East London isn't the same as I know it before." to which I was replied, "The city is the same, Nothing changed. Only you changed!"

The more I come back here, the more I realize how true this really is. The city is the same. The stores are the same. The roads (with all those potholes) are the same. The people...are the same. Yet it is me who has become so busy, that I can't organize a dinner date with a friend without my phone to see if my planner can tell me if I'm free or not. I'm the one who has to make decisions on my own, who falls ill on my own.

I change everyday and I know for a fact that I am not the same person I was last year this time.

Situations and circumstances of 2013 have molded me to become the sensitive, sometimes insensitive, caring, sometimes selfish, calm, sometimes control maniac that I am.

So I guess what I'm actually trying to say is, for some of us - the holiday period is not AS joyous as it is for others. No offence to anyone, please...but, I'm quite happy hibernating at home with my nose in a book :)

10-year Reunion: Gala Dinner

Thursday, August 18 2011 - Gala Dinner at the EL Golf Club. This was the first event of our reunion weekend. I arrived with 3 school friends and the first couple of hours were spent mingling. There were quite a few reunion groups at this event - even a 50-year reunion group!

Mayuri, Bavika, Poonam & I

Telana & Me

Some teachers I met that night - Mrs Forward (who taught us in primary school), Ms Winkelmann (Afrikaans), Mrs Thorne (Maths), Mrs Felton (English & matric), Miss Rose (History) and - our headmaster, Mr Nel!

Legendary English (and matric) teacher, Mrs Felton
Miss Rose (History teacher) in the background

To be very honest, I think I was at a loss for words when I met Mrs Felton and Miss Rose.  Hands down, they were (are) two of the best teachers at Clarendon High School and I feel absolutely honoured to have been taught by them both.

Carolyn, Tania & Thandi

With sweet Carolyn

I've kept in touch with many school friends over the years, but seeing each other face to face was completely different. It was especially lovely seeing Natalie who coincided her vacation from New Zealand to be with us :)

Mr Nel (headmaster)

I went home that evening feeling quite excited about the following morning - Founder's Day assembly at school! 

10-year Reunion: The Build Up

I think it was in April when I found myself part of the group that was to organize our 10-year high school reunion weekend. There would be a series of events, starting on Thursday evening with a Gala Dinner hosted by the Old Girls Guild at the East London Golf Club. On Friday morning we'd meet at school for the Founder's Day assembly. Friday evening would be a "Girls Night", Saturday afternoon would be a family picnic and on Sunday we'd wrap up with a breakfast. I was asked to organize the event on Friday evening.

I was very fortunate to get a lovely venue, and after sorting out details like catering and the program for the evening, I felt like everything was set.

A few weeks before the reunion, I had a chat with a friend while I was still in East London. She was feeling a bit hesitant about the reunion weekend and I wanted to know why. As can be expected, everyone will want to know what the others have been up to over the past 10 years (let's face it, we're not ALL avid FaceBook-ers to keep up to date with each other's marriages, children etc...)

"What am I going to say?" she asked me. "I'm job-less, husband-less and child-less."

Wait a minute. So am I! 

It's no longer a secret that I have been battling to find a job since I came back to the country from South Korea last year. So I, too, have no job at the moment.

Also, I thought back to our school days - to our "bonding sessions" in the matric quads - where we used to talk about our future. I always thought that by the time our 10-year reunion came around, I'd be married, maybe with a child and I would be a published author. Well, I'm certainly far away from being married with a child :)

I thought of other classmates and what they've been up to over the past decade. Many are living abroad and have taken different paths in life, some not what they expected. I have friends who are climbing the corporate ladder in Johannesburg, some are married with children and are amazing stay-at-home-mums (living all over the world!) Others are engaged and planning their wedding. However, each one of them/us have something to be grateful for. 

I thought about the meaning of "Success". What is it?

Is success earning 20k+ a month? Perhaps. Is it being married to a wonderful man who you have beautiful children with? Maybe. What about just being happy - regardless of one's financial or relationship status?

I came to the conclusion that success means different things to different people. I then tried to imagine packing my life over the past ten years into one box. What would I put in there? 

Something I wouldn't be able to physically put in is "experience". My experience (for another blog) between 2002 and 2003 was life-changing and has made me a much stronger individual. Something else I have to show is my four year Bachelor of Journalism degree from Rhodes University. I've also written for a number of publications - both print and online and have had the opportunity to meet some incredible people.  Spending 3 years in Korea and having many travel experiences has been like a dream come true for me.  Within a matter of days, I was able to take photographs standing next to pyramids in Egypt and then standing on the Great Wall of China in Beijing. I learned how to like myself and enjoy my own company, because almost all my travel was done alone.

So, does that mean that the fact that I don't currently have a paying job of 20k+ and a man at my side makes my a failure? Absolutely not!

I decided to put my anxiety of our school reunion aside and enjoy the time with friends, some of whom I've known for 20 years now!

Last Friday Party

TKO's Last Friday Part on December 17 2010 featuring: Lulo Cafe, Professor (Jezebel fame) and Oskido! Numbers was BLAZING...Oskido closed the club down after Professor's live performance. It was madness....

Lulo Cafe on the decks

With Professor

With Oskido

Sunset with showers of blessings

I got this shot on our way from Tulsi Vivah at the temple on Saturday (November 20) evening.

Tulsi Vivah

Tulsi (Holy Basil)

Today I attended Tulsi Viva at our mandir (temple). It was my first experience and was curious about its significance. Some of the info below has been taken from here and here.

Tulsi Vivah is the ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant to the Hindu god, Vishnu – or his avatar, Krishna. The wedding signifies the end of the monsoon as well as the beginning of the Hindu wedding season.

Mandap (Canopy) for the ceremony

Dispatch Dialogue with Jay Naidoo

Image from Daily Dispatch

Yesterday (Tuesday, November 16 2010) I went to a Dispatch Dialogue with Jay Naidoo.

Lunch at Cape Town Fish Market

With Aunty Bonz and my mum at Cape Town Fish Market

On Tuesday (November 16, 2010) my Godmother, Aunty Bonz took my mum and I out for lunch. It was my first time to Cape Town Fish Market at Hemingways Mall. They have a sushi bar, and I guess that was the only thing that I (kinda) enjoyed - it reminded me a lot of what I used to eat in South Korea! I had a grilled hake with vegetables. My mum's hake was raw in the center so it had to be sent back. Service-wise, a bit shoddy...

Last Friday Party

This was my first Last Friday Party, and I was excited as ever. The event was going to be Jozi DJs vs Durban DJs and the line up included: Fistaz Mixwell, Christos, DJ Tira and DJ Fisherman. Numbers was packed to capacity that they even had to close the door and refuse people in! I spent the whole night in the DJ box - which I think was a safe & wise thing to do! Fistaz didn't make it after all, but OH HOT DAMN! The other DJ's sure made up for it. My brother and I both agree that Tira isn't just a DJ - he's an entertainer and performer. Loved his set!

After the gig, I tweeted a bunch of things with the hash tag Things I Learned Last Night:

...you can get high JUST on music.
...how much I really love Kwaito music.
...that DJ Mo exists in different sizes and forms (and different names) > Intersexions
...sometimes I'm safer jamming alone in the DJ box.
...I have no tolerance for jezebel's after midnight.
...saying I'm the DJs sister will make guys take a back step - literally.
...you get DJs and then you get DEEJAYs.
...I STILL don't get what's behind wearing shades in a club.
...It's pointless trying to rationalize with a girl in a blonde weave at 04:30.

Damelin's House for Charity Emergency Party

On Friday, October 1 (2010) Damelin held their House for Charity Emergency Party at Numbers. This is an annual charity event with national DJs coming down for it. This year, the DJ lineup was: Euphonik, Lady Lea & DJ Damage - my brother!

The whole family was invited by the college and got VIP passes. My brother started off with a video set - rocked it solid! Lea then took over, followed by Euphonik and rounded off with Damage once again.We got home around 04:30 - it was a fun night...with numb feet and a sore body to prove it the next day :)

Numbers Dance Club - before the event started

Mum, me, brother (DJ Damage) and dad

With my big bro, Vijayan

With friend, Brian

With DJ Euphonik

Lady Lea taking over the decks from DJ Damage

View from DJ box - Euphonik on the decks

Home Sweet Home!

Tuesday, August 24 2010

On our way home!

We landed in sunny East London and were met by my dad, "big bro" Vijayan, Donovan and Gershwin - who work for my dad. After loading all our luggage into one car, we were on our way home...where I was going to meet (for the first time) Zelda, a little Jack Russell who adopted our family last year. To say she's stolen my heart is an understatement. Who wouldn't fall in love with this gorgeous face?

Ms Zelda Makhan

Welcome to the World, Baby!

On Sunday morning (March 7 2010) a little blessing finally made his grand appearance into the world. This handsome little boy belongs to my friend, Chetan and his wife Seema in East London, South Africa.

Congratulations to you both. He's just perfect!

     

Game workers strike

Game workers were striking outside Retail Park, Beacon Bay on Tuesday August 18.

Shooters Party @ Numbers

On Saturday, August 15 2009 there was a Shooters Party @ Numbers. My brother was on the decks that night, so I went to see/hear him play. It was a good night :)

With Losh, Jenean & Vijayan @ the Keg

I got to go into the DJ box while my bro was playing!

With my super awesome friend, Jenean

With Chris (and Mike) in the background

India's Independence

To celebrate India's 62nd year of independence, the East London Hindu Society held a short "flag hoisting" ceremony to mark this special day. Lunch was served thereafter.

This was held on Saturday, August 15 2009.

Krishna Jayanti

On Friday, August 14 2009 my mum & I went to mandir (temple) from 7:30pm to 1:30am...

The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated at midnight on Krishna Jayanti. At midnight, the ritual of waving lit lamps (aarti) is performed.

His statue is placed in a swing and devotionally offered many sumptuous food dishes, in particular kheer (a sweet dish made from milk, sugar and rice/vermicelli) or halva/sheera (a sweet dish made from semolina, ghee and sugar).

Info from: sanatan.org

Bomb Scare @ Retail Park, Beacon Bay

I don't enjoy shopping at all. If I need to buy something, I need to know exactly what I need so all I have to do is go in, buy it and get the hell outta there. I especially hate shopping for clothes, but I needed to get a few things for taking back to Korea and for our trip to Durban.

So ... on Wednesday, August 5 2009 my mum and I were at Retail Park in Beacon Bay (East London) when there was a bomb scare. We thought it was only the store we were in, but turned out that the whole center had to be evacuated.

My first thought - Daaayum! I wanna stay & take pics :)
My second thought - If I don't make it outta here, who's gonna pack up my apartment in Korea?!

I know. My imagination runs wild at the best of times. Anyways, mum and I left Retail Park and moved to the next shopping option - Vincent Park! Well, that was the excitement of the day for lil' ol' East London :)

Andre - The Hilarious Hypnotist

I've seen so many of Andre's shows in the past, and they're pretty much predictable by now. But since he was having a show in East London while I was there, I decided to go - just for old times sakes! The corny jokes and lil' routines were all the same. But still had a damn good laugh, nonetheless :)