La vie continue. Life goes on. After the rush and busy, full, fun days of the Christmas and New Years holidays, life is about to go back to normal. Schoolwork and so on. I am actually looking forward to it, although that doesn't mean I won't miss the beautiful, lazy summer holiday days or being able to see my favourite people all the time. I had an amazing end to 2015, much of which I owe to wonderful people in my life. Or, actually...I owe it to God, for putting these people in my life. I am thankful, thankful, thankful.
And I've had a good start to the new year as well. I feel ready for 2016. I feel the future is bright. Bright, not easy. Not perfect. Still full of problems and heartache and things that are yet to come but will come as they always do. But, bright. It thrills me to know that Jesus is with me. Always. And as long as He is with me, I am His. As long as I am His, I'm safe. Content. Brave, because He is in me and He makes me brave. I don't have to fear what this year holds.
Alright, I think I'm done with my little speech. Ha. I know you enjoyed it. (No, I don't. One assumes, one hopes)
So, here's to twenty sixteen.
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lately... (I'm just gonna go ahead and include tidbits from December as well, since it was a great month and I didn't blog for the whole of it, not once)
+ spending whole days in the pool and getting sunburned (It is hot here in South Africa at the moment, hot and dry)
+ having crazy, awesome Christmas and New Years celebrations with fabulous people (Having lots of exuberant little cousins over for Christmas lunch, watching fireworks at twelve a.m. from a hill with friends on New Years eve)
+ having loads of braais (For those of you who don't know, braaing, pronounced bry-ing, is the South African equivalent of 'barbecuing')
+ praying for rain because we're currently in the middle of a terrible drought (All prayers are appreciated)
+ listening to twenty one pilots and getting their songs stuck in my head
+ watching the new Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens (I enjoyed it, but I know some critics that would scoff at that)
+ going to Retanga Junction with my family, an amusement park where I had my first rollercoaster ride (So much fun)
+ taking family photos while everyone is together for the holidays
+ playing lots of cards and chess and pool
+ writing a novel that I don't want anyone to read (How am I going to publish something someday if I can't even let my sister read it?)
+ making berry smoothies
+ drinking sweet apple and gooseberry ice tea (It's this weather, I tell you)
+ drawing bird illustrations
+ praying a lot about God's plan for my future and just asking Him where He wants me to go, what He wants me to do
...but what about you? Did you enjoy the holidays?
+ spending whole days in the pool and getting sunburned (It is hot here in South Africa at the moment, hot and dry)
+ reading Case Histories by Kate Atkinson and Billie's Kiss by Elizabeth Knox (Both good books, I recommend them. And, do you think I should do book reviews once in a while?)
+ painting with watercolours (Again)
+ having crazy, awesome Christmas and New Years celebrations with fabulous people (Having lots of exuberant little cousins over for Christmas lunch, watching fireworks at twelve a.m. from a hill with friends on New Years eve)
+ having loads of braais (For those of you who don't know, braaing, pronounced bry-ing, is the South African equivalent of 'barbecuing')
+ praying for rain because we're currently in the middle of a terrible drought (All prayers are appreciated)
+ listening to twenty one pilots and getting their songs stuck in my head
+ watching the new Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens (I enjoyed it, but I know some critics that would scoff at that)
+ going to Retanga Junction with my family, an amusement park where I had my first rollercoaster ride (So much fun)
+ taking family photos while everyone is together for the holidays
+ playing lots of cards and chess and pool
+ writing a novel that I don't want anyone to read (How am I going to publish something someday if I can't even let my sister read it?)
+ making berry smoothies
+ drinking sweet apple and gooseberry ice tea (It's this weather, I tell you)
+ drawing bird illustrations
+ praying a lot about God's plan for my future and just asking Him where He wants me to go, what He wants me to do
...but what about you? Did you enjoy the holidays?
Love everything about this post! It's so cool to see you all swimming and doing summery stuff in January. It's been FREEZING cold where I live, and it snowed a few days ago.
ReplyDeleteThat amusement park looks like soooo much fun!! Your art is AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS!! Those roses are just so pretty. <3
I love this :) and you..
ReplyDelete^and I quite agree. I believe it's slightly snowing right now actually.
you're such a beautiful person, Tane. Give me your beauty k? k.
glad you're back to the blogging world :)
oh also, I am a Star Wars fan (like really complete fangirl), and I personally LOVEDDDD the new movie. I don't care what the critics say. It was literally amazing. Still mourning over a certain character (i'm trying not to spoil this lol) though.. *cries a river*
ReplyDeleteI love this! And oh my, your art work is beautimous.
ReplyDeletethis post is literally picture perfect. your family is the cutest and your watercolour skills are impeccable ((i'm struggling so much with hand lettering with watercolours so hAHA)) and that roller coaster looks insane ((i adore them)) and berry smoothies?? like yes please girl.
ReplyDeletehehe, ily xx
Oh also, I for got to say that I loved your little speech. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, first rollercoasters are the best! Especially if you sit at the front or near it-- the experience is exhilarating! And writing a novel you don't want anyone to read yet is extremely relatable-- it's not a process one can force! If it makes it easier, you can start sharing snippets with some friends and family members. I know it sounds scary, but it does get easier and easier every time. ^.^
ReplyDeletexoxo Morning
I love this! What a lovely way to end 2015!
ReplyDeleteStay awesome as ever,
Much love,
Archie <3
I agree with everyone, this post is lovely- the pictures, the writing, everything
ReplyDelete*swoons*
In Southern California its actually pretty cold and I'm not sure whether I'm in love with the weather or if I'm ready for those sunny evenings and swimming again.
I'm actually the very opposite with my novels, I try to get everyone possible to read them so that I can get as many opinions as possible.
(I'm a perfectionist and I can't keep writing without making sure what I've already done is good)
I love this so much, Tane, and I hope 2016 treats you well. <3
ReplyDeleteYour family is the cutest, and your artwork is just beautiful!
peridotcove.blogspot.com
Those birds and flowers are gorgeous! Are you going to make them into phone cases?
ReplyDeleteThat water-painting, that roller-coaster, those drinks, those drawings they all look so good! :) You are a blessed artist. :)
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are so vibrant. They help cheer up the dreary winter weather.
ReplyDelete