June 1, 2009
· Filed under personal
I have just come back from 8 days in Mykonos, Greece and feel totally refreshed. It was such a great break! It was my 17th time in Mykonos, with a 15 year break between now and the last time and obviously I noticed quite a few changes.
The centre of town hasn’t changed at all but certainly the outskirts have just grown and what used to be nothing is now a gazillion hotels. There were two major changes that I could see – one was the cost of things. Mykonos was never a cheap island but the prices now are totally out of line. Paying 10 euros for a drink and nearly the same amount for a Greek salad …. wow, especially if you are converting from SA Rand.
The other huge change is that Mykonos was the gay capital of the world for many, many years. Although not gay myself, I used to love watching them parade in the harbour at night and they always added a certain something to the island. Well – no more. Clearly they have moved on – I believe to Croatia, where I am sure it is a hell-of-a-lot cheaper. Sad!
My room was stunning ….. see for yourself … this was the view from my balcony.
Every morning I sat out there and had my coffee and come sunset there I was again with my … surprise, surprise ….. glass of wine!
Greece is truly picture perfect!!!
May 12, 2009
· Filed under personal, think about it · Tagged Adam Lambert, Idols
I haven’t been so blown away by a singer in ages …. Adam Lambert is absolutely brilliant. The world had Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Michael Jackson and now we are truly blessed with this stunning young man. I actually get shivers when I listen to him sing Ring of Fire ………
Yeah, I know … I have been reading up a lot of blogs etc and the whole American public is up in arms because he is gay. My feelings on the subject? Who the hell cares …… this man can sing, he looks gorgeous, has loads of personality and is without a shadow of a doubt an ‘idol’. I have absolutely no interest in his or anyone else’s sex life.
Watching him every week I often wonder as to why he actually is taking part in something like Idols. Surely someone had already discovered him … he should already be a star. Someone was very slow on the uptake there. He is in a different league to all the past (and probably future) idols contestants.
Go Adam!!!! We love you here in South Africa – and if I could vote – I would (a gazillion times!!). Whatever the outcome – you ARE a star.
April 29, 2009
· Filed under book club
I always read a lot but having been sick lately I read even more. The one book that really left a lasting impression on me was Creepers by David Morell. I have always enjoyed his books but this one is really so different.
It is about a group of people who illegally enter old, abandoned buildings. This time they go to an old hotel which in it’s prime was a very luxury upmarket place.
The whole idea got me thinking. Imagine all those old office blocks, hotels, department stores etc that are simply abandoned and left for ruin and will probably end up under the bashing ball. There must be a treasure trove of old things that have been left behind.
Salavaging from sunken ships is something else that I find interesting and often watch documentaries on the subject. But basically this is the same idea except on land.
Read it – I am sure you will enjoy it too.
April 25, 2009
· Filed under personal
Everyone around me seems to be sick so I suppose I felt compelled to jump on the bandwagon. Last week I was working very long hours at a tennis tournament and landed up with a terrible cough. Suffice to say that it has turned into bronchitis.
I don’t think I feel too bad but every now and again my head starts to reel and I feel like passing out. The medication I have been on – 6 cortosone tablets plus anti-bioitics make me totally pass out. Every morning I drag myself out of bed – take my son to school – come back down my 8 pills and then just get straight back to bed for another couple of hours.
Anyway – I feel on the road to recovery and if any of you are sick – get better!!
April 18, 2009
· Filed under personal
We decided to go away for a few days and in my usual true style I prefer to go somewhere very, very nice for fewer days than somewhere crappy for a longer time. We treated ourselves to the most gorgeous hotel called The Lost Palace at Sun City. Wow, it was luxury and opulence at every turn. Absolutely amazing! Every morning I ate oysters and smoked salmon for breakfast!!! Yes … I could do that every day of my life ….
Our room was stunning and the bathroom just amazing. I have a thing about bathrooms and to me they either make or break my holiday. Yeah, I know I am weird but such is life. Here are some photos of our getaway ….. hope you like them.
the hotel
the one end of our room
the gorgeous bathroom
more of the bathroom
the spectacular view
March 31, 2009
· Filed under personal
I had my gastroscopy today and all in all it wasn’t too bad. In fact the checking in to the hospital was more of an ordeal. They really pissed me off. Hubby and I got there at 6.15 and they only started checking us in at 7.10. I have never seen such a disorganised place … and this is a private hospital. When I was eventually taken to my ward the nurses were all waiting for me as I was already supposed to have been in theatre.
So everything was rushed … and I was in a panic. Imagine if they put the wrong plastic wrist thingie on me ….. what if they write something down which is incorrect …. and OMG what if they take me to the wrong doctor in the wrong operating room!!!
So I was really stressed by the time I got to the operating room and then bam!* …. it was all over in a matter of 20 minutes. I was wide awake and feeling great. Then the doctor said that I must go and have a scan because he thought that I might have kidney stones. So off I went like a true invalid in a wheelchair … terrible! and had a scan.
After a lot of poking and deep breathing (sounds terribly!!) I was given a clean bill of health – no kidney stones. Then the best news was when the doctor told me that basically all I have is a severe acid build up and am otherwise very healthy.
That was the best news …. now to get rid of this acid …
March 30, 2009
· Filed under personal
I really am not looking forward to tomorrow as I have to go to hospital to have a gastroscopy. Hell, I can hardly say the bloody word ….
Over the last couple of weeks I have had a constant feeling of something in my throat. I permanently feel like I want to throw up. So after consulting the doctor (whom I really don’t like – must change her …) we decided that I should go for one of those ops where they put a camera down your throat. Ugh!
Naturally a whole lot of very depressing thoughts are wafting through my brain right now … you know the kind … anyway I just hope that all is ok.
I have to be at the hospital by 6.30 at the latest and they have told me that I will stay there for most of the day. Hubby will have to come and fetch me some time in the afternoon. I have arranged with one of my son’s friends for him to go and spend tonight and tomorrow with them.
Keep your fingers crossed for me please!
March 29, 2009
· Filed under personal
I decided to make a big pot of soup today – threw in a whole bag of frozen veggies and a couple of fresh ones too. It always amazes me how I find it so soothing to make soup. I can stand and stir it for absolute hours! I feel calm and relaxed … stir, stir, stir
The other ‘chore’ that I also enjoy and can do for hours is watering the garden. I love standing there pointing the hosepipe and watching and listening to the water. Am I seriously weird?
March 28, 2009
· Filed under by the way, personal
So far it has been quite a good weekend. I love Friday nights because we almost always go out for dinner. It’s just is a thing that we do ….. no cooking for me if it’s Friday. Last night we took friends out to the most awesome restaurant. I had been there once before for a birthday breakfast celebration and wow their dinner really blew us away.
Cameron Bruce
My son broke up school yesterday for the April holidays and went straight to a paintball birthday party which he didn’t really enjoy much. I think at fifteen he is probably past paintballing …… then he went home with his friend to spend the night. They all went to watch the Idols show and apparantely he had a great time. One of the Idols contestants Cameron Bruce who is in the last 7 is actually a matric boy at my son’s school so obviously they are all supporting him like mad.
A lot of the school kids have been going to watch and support him; they even make posters and banners for him during school. He really is a nice kid and I hope that he does well. Even if he gets eliminated now I think he can be very proud of himself.
This morning my hubby and I went out to breakfast so I can say that I really have been spoilt rotten. I must admit I actually hate cooking over the weekend. Let’s hope tomorrow is good too ….
March 27, 2009
· Filed under personal
I see that the last time I posted was in January. Wow how the time flies. I really have been very busy and it seems like I am drowning in tennis matters.
In February I worked at the South African Open Tennis tournament which was absolutely fantastic. Very hectic – long days and nights but so worth it. My adrenaline just pumped and I loved every minute. Meeting great players like Tsonga and Bagdatis was something.
My son was lucky enough to meet Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
My son was in his element working as a ball kid at the same tournament and got to meet all the players as well.
Apart from that I have been very, very busy putting together a blog for our local tennis association – go and have a look and let me know what you think of it.
I promise to catch up with you guys!
