Thursday 27 September 2012

My favourite Cat in the Hat book is.....

To be dead honest, I have never read any of the Cat in the Hat books. Dr Seuss is a wise and creative author but the Cat in the Hat series really doesn’t interest me.  I cannot tell you why, perhaps it is because I have busied myself in reading Harry Potter, Wilbur Smith, Stephenie Meyer, Ayn Rand, Dan Brown and Anne Rice. I enjoy juicy stories, not frivolous ones.   I have watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Horton Hears a Who, but I cannot tell you that I would give them top ratings.

There are a few quotes from Dr. Seuss that appeal to me however:

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”


“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!”


Wise words...all of them.

Taken from danielleford.com

Why I have conversations?

Taken from businessesgrow.com
I am so lucky to not be an introvert. I love socialising and communicating with people and I would say that is the reason why I chose Public Relations as a field of study. I have conversations for many reasons. My top 6 reasons are:

1.      To learn about others and build relationships.

2.      To find out and to provide valuable information that others should know.

3.      To get what I need or want.

4.      To have fun and laugh.

5.      To increase my knowledge on current events.

6.      To talk about problems and sort them out.
I love conversing. It is something we all have to do on a daily basis. That is why I am so grateful to be self-confident, open, interesting and to have been professionally trained in communication.

Friday 14 September 2012

My bucket list: 100 things to do before I die!

Taken from miamarlowe.com

I have always wanted to sit down and write a bucket list. Writing down a list of things to do before you die and then ticking it off as you go is a foolproof plan of living life to the fullest. Here are the 100 things that I want to do before I die:

1.      Shark cage dive (I did that last month so that can be ticked off).

2.      Ride an elephant (I’ve ridden an Asian elephant in the Thailand rainforest but I still have to ride an African elephant).

3.      Ride an ostrich.

4.      Go sky-diving.

5.      Go bungi-jumping at Bloukraans Bridge.

6.      Go paragliding over the ocean.

7.      Swim with dolphins.

8.      Get my diving certificate and dive in the Great Barrier Reef.

9.      See the Pyramids and Sphinx.

10.   Visit the Cairo Museum.

11.   Visit the leaning Tower of Pizza.

12.   Visit Paris and kiss under the Eiffel Tower.

13.   Go on a boat cruise around the Caribbean.

14.   Get a tattoo.

15.   Visit the Tiger Temple in Thailand.

16.   Get married to my soul mate.

17.   Have a child.

18.   Surf in California.

19.   Visit the Acropolis in Greece.

20.   Visit the Coliseum in Rome.

21.   Watch the sunrise over the Himalayas.

22.   Get stoned in Amsterdam.

23.   Spend St Patrick’s Day in Dublin, Ireland.

24.   Party at the German Beer Fest.

25.   Party even harder at Mardi Gras in Brazil and then New Orleans.

26.   Learn to speak French.

27.   Spend R10 000 on a shopping spree for myself.

28.   Develop my psychic and spiritual abilities.

29.   Talk to a Buddhist monk about life.

30.   Help out a charity in a big way.

31.   Own a tea cup pig.

32.   Own an iguana.

33.   Own a Chihuahua.

34.   Visit the Amazon Rainforest.

35.   Climb a mountain.

36.   Surf at night.

37.   Go to Kirstenbosch Gardens (can’t believe I haven’t gone yet).

38.   Learn how to ballroom dance.

39.   Start my own business.

40.   Float in the Dead Sea.

41.   Lie down in a field of flowers.

42.   Fly in a small aeroplane and maybe fly it myself.

43.   Go to the Tommorrowland Festival in Europe.

44.   Look at the stars from out at sea on a yacht.

45.   Eat pizza and pasta in Italy.

46.   Be in the newspaper for doing something good.

47.   Be on TV.

48.   See a Snow Leopard.

49.   Tan in Cancun.

50.   Go on a proper African Safari somewhere in Kenya.

51.   Behold the sight of Mount Kilimanjaro.

52.   Drink legit absinth.

53.   Own a convertible.

54.   Go on a surfing road trip along the coast of South Africa.

55.   Take a photo on the top of the Empire State Building.

56.   Hillbilly it up in Texas.

57.   Spend the day at Disney land.

58.   Visit Universal Studios.

59.   Eat proper MacDonald’s in America.

60.    Sell one of my paintings.

61.   Celebrate my birthday in Vegas.

62.   Make friends with someone very famous.

63.   Fight for a cause and win.

64.   Go snowboarding.

65.   Ride a camel in the desert.

66.   Go on a boat trip down the Nile.

67.   Write a book.

68.   Learn to play a musical instrument properly.

69.   Meet and keep a best friend for life.

70.   Pay my parents back for all they have done for me.

71.   Have a white Christmas.

72.   Learn how to make sushi.

73.   Go tree-hopping in the Tsitsikama Forest.

74.   Teach English in Thailand.

75.   Work in the entertainment production industry.

76.   Hold a baby tiger (Oh wait I did that already).

77.   Hold a baby lion

78.   Pet a cheetah (Wait I can scratch that one off too).

79.   Get an outrageous hairstyle in a different colour.

80.   Go on a submarine.

81.   Fly in an army helicopter.

82.   Learn how to handle a gun and get my gun licence.

83.   Master a form of martial arts or self defence.

84.   Learn how to read tarot cards.

85.   Visit a chocolate factory in Switzerland.

86.   Grow my hair as long as I can.

87.   Win a prestigious award.

88.   Walk around in a graveyard at night.

89.   Own a Jacuzzi.

90.   See the Mona Lisa in real life.

91.   Walk along the Great Wall of China.

92.   Attend a Hindu wedding.

93.   Go on an ice-breaker ship into Antarctica.

94.   See an orca whale in real life.

95.   Spend a week on a deserted beach with my soul mate.

96.   Do something politically orientated.

97.   Go to Hawaii and learn to Hula.

98.   Go to the carnival on the pier at Jersey Shore.

99.   Catch a train through Russia.

100.                    Become spiritually enlightened.

My big fat BIG dream

Taken from robinsharma.com
We all have our dreams, some realistic, others so way out of reach that we hide them away from the world for fear of being laughed at. Well, I have learned that it is a wonderful thing to dream and no one should ever be ashamed of their deepest desires. We have one life and we should give it all we’ve got. Dreams help keep us motivated and help lesson life’s seriousness.

My dream is to travel the world. I want to see every place on this planet. I want to learn about life on life’s doorstep. If I could give up the idea of a career and just travel from place to place until I settle down with children in my calmer years, then that is what I would do. I would experience everything the world has to offer. After I have travelled, met hoards of worldly people and have learnt all I can about the world and myself, I dream of owning a beautiful home somewhere on a beach, away from the hustle and bustle of life. My house must be built on a huge property, somewhere I can create my own forest. In that forest, I will sit and meditate on my life, have picnics with my soul mate and laugh at our children as they play. That is what my hope for my future is.

My big fat BIG dream, which will probably never come true, is for the world to give up its greed and negativity and for everyone to live in harmony. Imagine a planet that isn’t in the wretches of global warming and is thriving with all its inhabitants living in peace and love. What a beautiful world it would be. But alas, human greed and their attraction to negativity is endless.

Dreams may be dreams but they are worth every second that you dream them, because without that inspiration our lives would be empty and dull. So dream your dreams and remember anything is possible if you believe enough.

Thursday 30 August 2012

Conventional is a good fallback position isn’t it?

I am a person who revels in others’ uniqueness and their willingness to step out of societal indoctrination and proudly say, “This is who I am and if you don’t like it, I don’t give a f#*@!” This is the type of person I try and be every day. I love anything that is unconventional. I hate it when people care so much about what others think of them. Nothing can suffocate a person’s inner being more than this. If you want to dance when there is no music, then do it. If you want to be as outrageous as people like Marilyn Manson or Lady Gaga, then why not?

Society dictates its norms and sets the conventional standards and sadly most people comply, as it is easier to be a sheep than to be a leader. Do not let others dictate who you are because the soul is something beautiful and free. Each and every person’s soul wants to do and be whatever will make it happy. After all, we all come to this planet to find joy. Letting other people rent a space in your head can seriously damage your chances at happiness.

Last year I made the decision to not care what people think of me and the things I do and I have never been happier. It is your life and no one else has a right to tell you how to live it. No one matters but you! Be proud to be who you are, even if it is against the norm. All the better! So conventional is a good fallback position is it? I say HELL NO!



Taken from
 http://www.facebook.com/danielle.rall.52?ref=tn_tnmn#!/photo.php?

You cannot chase two rabbits at the same time

There is always that one or two week period in each term where we are all stockpiled with work and we run around like headless chickens trying to meet our numerous deadlines. Such is life for  university students. Lord knows how many nights I stay up trying to finish my work. It can all get a bit much, especially if you are taking on more than one task at a time.

The old Native American saying, “You cannot chase two rabbits at the same time” is true if you are incapable of multi-tasking, which is not possible if you are a fourth year PR student. We have to multi-task to keep up with our various subjects and often we have more than one big deadline to meet on the same day. No doubt this is what the PR world is all about.

I believe multi-tasking is a good skill to learn as it will be helpful in many scenarios, both in the workplace and at home. Unfortunately, men may have to work harder to master this skill.... All jokes aside, the problem with multi-tasking is the danger of losing focus, which undoubtedly affects end results. As impossible as it is to catch two rabbits at the same time, it is just as impossible to achieve the best possible outcomes if you take on two many tasks at the same time. So remember to prioritise and focus on one task at a time. If you do this, you will be able to achieve the best possible outcomes in all scenarios. But by all means, if you feel you are a capable multi-tasker... go right ahead!
Taken from blackberry.org.ng

Thursday 16 August 2012

“Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when you only have one idea”(Alain)

“Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when you only have one idea”(Alain)

I do not believe this statement to be entirely true.  Yeah sure, one idea may not always be enough but I say if you even have just one idea then you are on your way. Other ideas spring from an initial idea ,so in saying this, does Alain mean that all initial ideas are dangerous? I think not. Somehow the idea I had to go on a holiday wasn’t so dangerous to me or those around me.

I do believe however that those that fail to plan, plan to fail and I believe Alain was trying to get to this point. If you have an idea, it is nothing until the planning process is complete because only then can successful implementation take place. Planning helps eliminate risks and possible dangers, so perhaps Alain should rather have quoted, “ Nothing is more dangerous than an idea that has not been thought through before implementing it.”

Taken from idea-sandbox.com

Sunday 12 August 2012

Have you figured out the second head fake?

Fellow SMED learners, by now you must have figured out the second head fake or you are just too literally minded and unwilling to learn. Our Media Studies lecturer, Marian Pike, has cleverly enforced blog topics of a “head fake” nature. What is this “head fake” you ask? Well if you want to know then let me explain...


It all has to do with a computer science professor named Randy Pausch, who was a brilliant  lecturer at Carnegie Mellon. He was diagnosed with cancer and before he died he was asked to do a last lecture. Randy’s last lecture topic was “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”. Prof. Pausch spoke about seizing every moment, overcoming obstacles and achieving one’s dreams. At the end of the lecture he asked, “Did you figure out the head fake?” He followed by saying, “It’s not about how to achieve your dreams. It’s about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself, the dreams will come to you. Did you figure out the second head fake?”

When people showed confusion at this question, he explained what he meant by “head fake”...“Most of what we learn, we learn indirectly (by head fake)” and “The best way to head fake someone in education, is to have them learn something while they think they are learning something else”. Basically a “head fake” is something with an indirect message or lesson to be learnt. It involves being taught something without knowing what you are being taught.

I realized Marian’s “head fake” nature of the blog topics she gave us after researching some weird topics, such as “How to step from a 100 foot pole”. Taken literally, it makes no sense but research showed that it was in fact an ancient Zen teaching called a Koan. Indirectly I had been taught something! Bingo Marian, you definitely know how to make us think and learn indirectly!


Wednesday 1 August 2012

I am...

One of the most difficult tasks for any person is answering the question, “Who am I?” I don’t believe any one will have a proper definitive answer to this question since we all grow and learn about ourselves as we change and shape into the people we want to be. At different points in your life the answer to this question will vary. So far this is what I know about who I am...


I am outspoken, free-spirited and open-minded. I am a woman who is not afraid to go head to head with a man. I am honest and hate liars. I am an artist. I am on a spiritual journey. I am not religious. I am very book smart but still have a lot to learn about the real world. I am determined to be happy and successful throughout life. I am an animal lover and a poacher hater. I am courageous and will take on anyone who attempts to harm my loved ones or myself. I am positive (most of the time). I am funny and love making people laugh. I am a daughter, a god mother, an aunt, a girlfriend and a sister. I am the best and most loyal friend anyone could have. I am good at giving advice. I am patient and chilled. I am a good cook. I am me and all I want to be for now, but I hope I grow and become even more!
Me at Hole in the Wall

"In the future everbody will be famous for fifteen minutes" - Andy Worholl

Taken from edwardwillett.com
Andy Worhol said, “In the future everybody will be world famous for fifteen minutes.”

I don’t know why Andy Worhol thought this to be true as there are just way too many people on this planet for everyone to have fifteen minutes of fame worldwide. Not to mention, most people just aren’t interesting enough to be famous. Perhaps we all get our fifteen minutes of fame in the social media world, but somehow I don’t think people commenting on a picture of you for fifteen minutes can be called fame! This got me thinking, if I had my fifteen minutes of fame, what would I want to be famous for?
After much thought, I believe that I would like to be known for doing something amazing, like designing a way to heal the effects of Global Warming or finding a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease . I could also be known for being the most accredited and professional person in the PR industry, but that is boring. So if I could choose anything to be famous for it would be for being the best person alive! Being a good person in all walks of life is a difficult feet which some of us strive for everyday. To me, to be considered as the best person on this planet would be the ultimate reward!

Wednesday 25 July 2012

A skill set called leadership

Taken from innsbruck.aiesec.at

I believe myself to be a natural born leader. I have never followed the herd and I always take charge. I have been selected for several leadership positions because of this. I was selected as a prefect in both primary school and high school and have been selected as project leader on many occasions, amongst other things. These positions have taught me a set of skills enabling me to become a better leader. Here are some of the characteristics that I believe a good leader should have:

Self-confidence – Be strong in yourself. You cannot show weakness or no one will follow you.

Fairness – As a leader always be fair or you will be disliked, and lose your credibility as a good leader.

Good communication skills – A leader must be able to communicate effectively with those the lead.

Morality – A leader needs to be someone others respect and look up to.

Respect  – Respect is earned.

Problem solving skills – A leader needs to find creative and effective ways to solve problems.

A democratic mindset – Everyone needs to agree and have a say, it is not all about the leader.

Patient – A leader must not lose their temper or stress out over small things, instead they should be the calming factor.

Motivational – A good leader is able to motivate their followers.

Active – Never make promises you cannot keep and always do what you say you will.

“Rock journalism is people who can’t write interviewing people who can’t talk for people who can’t read” (Frank Zappa)

“Rock journalism is people who can’t write interviewing people who can’t talk for people who can’t read”
  ̃Frank Zappa  ̃

Taken from ponderabout.com
Musical legend, Frank Zappa, was passionate about advocating freedom of speech and was highly against censorship. In the age of rock journalism, there was much criticism of many rock artists who flaunted dangerous lifestyle choices such as drugs and sex through their music. The so-called “prudish” mindsets of most rock journalists at this time meant that rock music took the rap and some even mentioned censorship of such “devil” music. Zappa was one to receive a lot of criticism, perhaps sparking the above quote. Critic bashing critics...


Although, Zappa holds some truth in this quote, it is a bold generalisation and therefore should be taken with a pinch of salt. I believe the point he was trying to make was that people cannot write objectively and properly about music if they themselves are not musicians or don’t have the insight and that the people that these articles are written for, are generally not interested in reading about music because they would rather listen to it. I believe he also alludes that rock musicians are made to make music and aren’t so good at talking about it. All somewhat true, but perhaps a bit harsh!
Taken from ponderabout.com

There are undoubtedly some incredible rock journalists of that time who generated much exposure for rock music. Perhaps Zappa was just afraid that the critical rock journalists would spark an age of censorship over the genre. Then again, perhaps he was just one of those people he talks about in his quote, a person getting interviewed “who can’t talk”!

Tuesday 24 July 2012

My top 200 achievements...

Somehow I think that this blog topic was designed as a clever little ruse to make all of us realise that we actually haven’t achieved much of significance in our lives. I sat for about two hours trying to think of my top 200 achievements and got stuck on number 112. I have to admit that after going over them again I realised that being born is not really an achievement, neither is getting my first tooth or turning 21. My list started looking sadder and sadder as I weeded out all the “so-called” achievements that shouldn’t really classify as such. I could help but wonder, ‘What constitutes a proper achievement?’

According to Dictionary.com (2012), the proper definition of an achievement is that it is something accomplished, especially by superior ability, special effort or great courage. Other definitions mentioned the factor of skill playing a part as well as completing something. So an achievement has to be achieved through working for it or stepping up to the plate. Bad news, this definition caused more of my “achievements” to be crossed off the list.

So here they are (well what is left of them)... The things that I have accomplished through my superior ability, skill, special effort and courage. These are my achievements:

1.      Learning to ride a bicycle.

2.      Learning to read and write, well.

3.      Buying an electric guitar and amp with my own savings.

4.      Achieving my first couple of certificates in primary school after realising I had an academic ability.

5.      Learning how to ride and then jump a horse.

6.      Learning how to surf and then excelling at it.

7.      Learning how to play the piano and guitar.

8.      Receiving gold honours for my creative writing at a Creative Writing Eisteddfod.

9.      Receiving the top marks of my class in grade 7, my final year of primary school.

10.   Becoming a prefect in grade 7.

11.   Becoming more comfortable and self confident as I entered high school (No more bullying from dumb kids).

12.   Passing my learners licence.

13.   Getting an A for my first painting.

14.   Joining the girls soccer team and becoming a leader who eventually helped the team stay in practice.

15.   Passing my driver’s licence first time!

16.   Remaining in the top 10 academics of my grade throughout high school.

17.   Receiving the top achievement for visual art in matric.

18.   Becoming a prefect in high school.

Organising a successful awards event in matric.
19.  

20.   Achieving my academic honours.

21.   Achieving my academic colours.

22.   Taking part in Mr and Miss Table View High (took courage to get up on stage in front of the whole school.)

23.   Being voted as a cheerleader for my sports house in high school and then pulling off an insane cheerleading routine on sports day.

24.   Being accepted into three universities.

25.   Travelling on my own for the first time to London.

26.   Learning to love and accept myself for who I am.

27.   Learning how to be compassionate and appreciative of the little things in life.

28.   Becoming a god mother.

29.   Winning a place in the top 10 for my speech in second year university.

30.   Winning the “Best Magazine Cover” in first year.

31.   Planning and pulling of the most amazing 60th Hippy birthday party for my mom.

32.   Achieving the Dean’s Merit List for three consecutive years in university.

33.   Top Achievement for End User Computing in first year.

34.   Maintaining my “A” aggregate for each year of university.

35.   Helping organise and pull off an awesome luncheon event for the PR industry in my first year of university.

36.   Winning the best exhibition stall for CPUT Open Day in my first year.

37.   Succeeding at my first proper job in the PR field and learning my capabilities through producing good marketing materials and campaign ideas as well as helping organise major on-campus events.

38.   Writing, editing and putting together my first university newspaper – the Hub.

39.   Getting my written article published as the main feature story on CPUT’s website.

40.   Getting my National Diploma Cum Laude in Public Relations Management.

There they are... not 200, but 40 greatest achievements. I don’t have very many achievements but I have more than most people at my age and so I am proud of what I have accomplished thus far. I plan to accomplish a lot more in my near future!
Taken from motifake.com