I was recently fortunate enough to undertake a short trip to the most popular tourist attraction in your country, the Victoria falls. I find it difficult to put my impressions thereof into words, so I’ll stick to: ‘OH MY WORD!!!!!!’

We were super excited when we boarded the little One Time airplane at OR Thambo early on the morning of the 1st….destination: Livingstone, Zambia. The flight was uneventful right until the pilot announced that Victoria Falls will soon be visible through the window. It was a breathtaking and heart stopping moment that i will never forget. So beautiful!!!

We were met at Livingstone airport by Victor, a man that impressed immensely. Well educated, witty and with a love of his country that is clearly visible in everything he does. We were taken by bus through the Zambian and Zimbabwean borders and finally to our beautiful hotel, The Victoria Falls Hotel. One of the top hotels on the Zimbabwe side of the falls…old school, colonial, breathtaking and with amazing service. I can honestly say that we were treated like royalty throughout our stay. Never in my life had i met such amazing hotel staff.

We went on the sunset cruise. WOW WOW WOW!!!! it’s like a 3 hour cruise on the Zambezi as the sun is setting. What incredible views. We were treated to free drink (as much as we wanted….score) and hippos and crocodiles and just all the breathtaking things that completes the Zambezi experience.

The next day I went on a 2hour hike along the falls. The mist created by the falls is so heavy in some places that it literally felt like we were caught in a hectic rain storm without any clouds. At the end of the 2 hours i was absolutely soaking wet….but we got the most awesome pictures and just got to stand there and take in the awesomeness that is the Falls:)

Shortly after that we were treated to a helicopter ride over the falls. I was fortunate enough to be able to sit in front next to the pilot, which meant that i had the best view! I have no words to describe what i saw and how it made me feel. The pictures seem so inadequate when i look at them now.

Then in the afternoon we had a real treat! We went on an Elephant safari…as in we actually rode the elephant’s through the game park in search of other wild animals. I got to bond with this majestic animal in a way i never thought I’d experience:)

I received numerous wedding proposals and my father was offered everything from diamonds to cattle to some weird muti business in Zim for my hand in marriage..but my general impression of the people of northern Zim was one of pride, of integrity, hope, happiness and an appreciation for other people. I was honestly impressed and warmed:)

thank you so much for an amazing couple of days:) Attached please find a couple of snap shots from the trip. I took over 700 pics, so it was really hard to choose, but i can’t send all 700+ 🙂

I hope to visit you again soon

Love
Ruby
xxxxx

p.s. I’ve never seen so many rainbows in one place in my entire life!

P.P.S. I really wish i could post more pics…..it was tough choosing only a couple!

My my my…what a year this has been. Full of ups and downs, happies and sads….an all round good year:) I’ve decided to end my year saying: ‘I’m tracing the outlines of 2009 and liking the picture I see’.

I’ve decided to dedicate this post to everything that happened this year, both good and bad…as all these things played a roll in who I am today:)

2009 will be etched into my memory for the following reasons:

• I started my Masters degree in Forensic Auditing. I won’t lie, it’s been hectic. Working and studying full time while trying to remain a social butterfly is no joke…but somehow, with much insomnia, much coffee, lots of love and no sleep I managed to pass the first half with flying colours. I did well, and I can honestly say I’m proud of myself.
• I sold my little noenoe who has been my companion since I started driving after the accident
• Bought my gorgeous new baby…….*happy in love sigh*
• Paid off my study loan
• Got caught in the middle of a shootout between police and some idiots while driving home after watching District 9
• District 9
• My feet got burnt by acidic powder that was inside a pair of sexy shoes I bought. I was miserable and the burns were insane. But i’m happy to report that my feet have now fully recovered. The rather exclusive shop was quite shocked and refunded me for the shoes, they also paid my medical bills at the end of the day.
• Almost got ran off the road by a cop cause he was on his cell phone
• Mrs Reindeer passed away…..she paid such an important part in my life for so many years…it is with great sadness and fondness that i remember this part of 2009
• We discovered a really disturbing murial in our local Panarotti’s
• My chamber got married…yay!!!!
• I tried my best to have weekends away as often as possible….even when I’m practically dying of Bronchitis
• My dear, dear friend AK’s little girl was born. What an awesome little girl…such a blessing!
• The sad and interesting journey through my dear gran’s life when we had to help her pack up all her stuff. I still carry the little coin with me:)
• For the first time i can truly say I’ve forgiven the guy who crashed into me 4 years ago. It’s been a long journey.
• erm……I sprayed myself with pepperspray for the second time…..*sigh*
• I lost 11kg without dieting or putting myself through hell and i fit into clothes i haven’t been able to wear for ages….yay me!
• I joined twitter….it changed my life:)
• I started doing Salsa and fell completely in love with it:)
• I decided it was OK to make mistakes and to not be so hard on myself
• Another very special person died #sadness
• I managed to give myself consussion on a ride at gold reef city…*sigh*…I swear, only me!
• An aircon just fell out of the wall and only just missed me while i was working
• My stalker started following me around in a car without a license plate.
• I met a bunch of really incredible people this year – thanx guys…your friendship is greatly appreciated
• I had to say goodbye to friends…this is never easy
• I realised it is possible for someone to be significant in your life even if you don’t know them very well.
• Baby Nicola was born:)
• I came to the realisation that there are people, other than my family, who really really care about me, who are willing to fight for me. I’m truly amazed and humbled by this. *much affection*
• Spiritually I grew so much….:)

In many ways, it’s been a very tough year, but it has also been a good year. I’m happy, I’m content, I’m fulfilled….I’m me:)

Thank you so much to everybody who has been a part of my life this year. You have made it special and worth remembering. And i truly hope that you will continue to play a role in my life in the year to come. What does 2010 hold….I have no idea. But what I do know is that i’m excitedly looking forward to it. I love my life, and i plan to continue loving it and building it and celebrating it in the year to come.

Lots of love
Ruby
xxxx

P.S. Here’s a couple of snapshots from 2009 🙂 Oh! and feel free to add any significant things that happened in 2009 that i might have missed:)

Happy and blessed 2010 my beautiful, special people!!!!! *hugs and kisses*

Tonight you guys made me cry…..a lot…for a number of reasons. Firstly I was crying out of sheer emotion and joy at the gift you had given me for Christmas, it was truly thoughtful, and was the action that set the other reasons for the good cry I just had into motion….but more on that later.

Secondly I cried because I really, really miss you…..both of you! I haven’t seen you in almost two years and because we have always been close as brother and sister this breaks my heart. But it’s a bit hard with you guys living in the states. Christmas has always been family time for us. Everybody gets together, spending time to catch up, talk nonsense, cook together, eat together and generally to share love and happiness for each other. But you’re not here…there is a bit of a hole in my happiness.

Actually, i think my second reason for crying and all the emotions that went along with missing you describes the majority of why i just spent the last half an hour writing you an e-mail, drying off tears and grinning stupidly….I love, and I miss you so much!

Anyhoodle, on to the gift. This year, you decided to be a little different. Giving each other gifts when we are thousands of km apart is never an easy feat. So this year you decided to be slightly different. You made a donation to ‘World Vision’ on my behalf. So this evening when I opened my mail, this is what awaited me….or a part of it anyway…you really don’t need to see the part where they tell me how much they love and miss me…we already know that part:

“A gift of five ducks has been given in your honor
Thought you might like a few adorable little ducks for Christmas this year! I bet none of your friends got the same thing ;-)”

It probably sounds silly, but i burst into tears. Thank you so much! What an incredible gift. Donating ducks to a family who hasn’t got any food or any form of livelihood. My heart feels all warm and fuzzy and happy.

May you and the yankee part of your family have an amazingly blessed Christmas. I miss you and I love you both so incredibly much!

Love

RubyWith my bro at his wedding:)

With my sis in law

Wow! I can’t believe you’re gone. That I will never again hear your bell like giggle, your often strange but sound advice, your stories….that i will never again be able to give you a hug and tell you that you are special.

My heart aches so much, and at the same time I’m grateful that you were not subjected to months of pain and suffering. You were a strong, courageous and spirited woman, and that is how i wish to remember you.

A couple of years ago you were diagnosed with breast cancer. Our family is particularly high risk when it comes to this type of cancer, and we were all afraid for you, but praying and rooting that much like my gran you would beat it. You were shattered when the doctors informed you that you would have to have a double mastectomy. I don’t think any of us understands the emotions a woman has to deal with when it comes to losing both her breasts…..it is so much a part of what makes us sensual and so much emphasis is put on it as part of the female form that i think it is an incredible scary thing to face. The fear that your husband would never look at you the same, that you wouldn’t feel feminine and sensual…..those are fears that I pray i never have to face.

But your husband was an angel and helped you to face this thing head-on. The operation was followed with months of intensive chemo therapy…..your strength was stretched to its limits. But, the cancer went into remission….and we all rejoiced with you. Your check ups went well and your results were always clear and good. No sign of the cancer coming back. Then 2 weeks ago you suddenly became violently ill. Nobody knew what was wrong. Nobody suspected. You had been to your check up recently, and your results were clear and good…..it was the last thing we suspected.

By last week Friday the cancer had returned so violently and aggressively…….they discovered a brain tumor, a tumor in your eye, both your liver and your kidneys absolutely devoured by it. This morning you quietly passed away…leaving behind your husband and your 2 darling children. But even in your darkest moments you were a joy and a strength to us all. Being strong and courageous and peaceful.

My heart aches, but I am grateful that you did not suffer long. That you were at peace when it was your time to go. We comfort ourselves in knowing that you’ve gone home and that someday soon we will all be reunited, in a place where cancer does not exist.

You are a beautiful woman, loved and adored by all of us, and you shall be missed. Rest in peace.

Love

Ruby

xxxxxxxxxx

Happy happy birthday my darling baby cousin!!! Although, i suppose at 22 you’re not such a “baby” anymore huh? Damn! can’t believe you’re all grown up and ready to face the world…and to crown it all, you are taller than me:)

May the years ahead be filled with many blessings, love, happiness and growth. You are an amazing person and I love you! I am excited for your possible new job opportunities and can’t believe that you are big enough to be moving away and starting up all on your own. I’m happy, but I’m also sad. You, along with your 2 sisters, have become my baby sisters. And sometimes i find it very hard to let go. I’m going to miss you so very much…more I think than you’ll ever know.

Keep that big smile on your face, touch the lives of those around you and never forget who you are. Nobody can ever take that away from you. Happy happy again darling!!!

Lots of love

Ruby
xxxxxx