My cousin and I – I’m the one with the curly hair – no surprise :)
Often it is easy to share stories and experience while keeping yourself unknown. I feel like it is time for me to write about me – for one it is a good way of reflecting on where I come from and where I am going and it is a hell of a lot cheaper than therapy. Without further a do – here’s a bit of information behind the blogger…
BEHIND THE BLOGGER
CHILDHOOD
- Born and raised in one house in Brooklyn, Pretoria
- I attended one primary school and one high school
- My parents separated when I was 12 and the divorced was finalized when I was 14
- I went to an all girls Afrikaans high school in Pretoria. At first I hated it with everything in me but after a couple of years, I became a part of the school or it became a part of me. I fell in love with the school, the teachers, the culture and made lots of friends.
- I was a Voortrekker from Grade 1 to Grade 12. I was given the award of Hoofleierswag but didn’t meet their criteria for Presidents Verkenner. But that is a whole different post on it’s own.
- I wanted to study dance and drama after school. I actually got admitted into a Christian Dance school but my dad refused to pay the tuition fees because he felt it wasn’t an accredited institution.
- I don’t have a great relationship with my dad. Although there is some communication now. I wish it were different from what it is.
- Did I mention Christian Dance school? I was pretty involved in my local church. I was one fire for Jesus
UK GALLIVANTING
- My dad wasn’t happy to pay for me to attend the Christian Dance School which lead to me throwing an ugly temper tantrum.
- I rebelled and decided to traveled to the UK on a working holiday visa.
- My once small & safe world became very big very quickly. I went off the Christian path for the most part and became a wild party animal. I went to the pub very often. Too often.
- The full extent of my travel included UK (Edinburgh, Manchester, South-West England, Spain and a stopover in Dubai on my way back home)
- I returned to South Africa for a couple of months at the end of 2004- mid 2005. In this time, I met Logan’s dad and fell pregnant.
- I returned to the UK, unaware of the fact that I was pregnant and was fully prepared to continue my life in the UK.
- Being pregnant and working on commission doesn’t work so well. After a mere 3 months in the UK my mom bailed me out and helped me come home.
- I was (1) still in denial about the pregnancy (2) desperately hoping my baby would go away.
Young and Capable. The little boy that saved me…
Selfie, long before true selfies
- I had baby Logan at the end of 2005, 6 weeks premature. Healthy and strong beyond what could be natural.
- My world was changed beyond what I could dream or imagine. I fell head over heals in love with this little boy!
CAREER
- I started my career in travel at Flight Centre
- I have worked and booked travel for leisure travelers, honeymoon couples, family travel packaged, working holidays, corporate & government travelers and in the end, assisted VIP and ministry delegates with their travel requirements.
- Travel sounds a whole lot more glamorous that it is.
- I loved learning the booking system and the commands needed to make a booking. I loved learning about airline, hubs and protocol around travel, visas and health requirements.
- I knew very early on in my career that there weren’t much of a corporate ladder to climb as a travel consultant and that I didn’t want to be a consultant for the rest of my life.
- When a position in business systems department became available, I leaped for the opportunity. I had to fight for the post and it was worth it!
STUDIES
- In 2008 after an inspiring conversation with a friend, we both enrolled for a BCom degree at UNISA
- It took me 8 years to complete my degree
MARRIAGE
- My bestie predicted I would marry a Jaco. I met Kobus, i.e. Jacobus shortly after.
- We had an unofficial and official date that we got engaged
- We got married on the unofficially engagement date exactly one year later
- When I accepted K into my live, I became a step-mom. It is much harder than I ever thought it would be, but suddenly I have a whole chunk more respect (and understanding) for the decisions my dad made.
- Because of the age gap, I was worried we would battle to fall pregnant. We didn’t, in fact we fell pregnant 3/4 months after we started trying… Before we were married
- Oliver was born on the 22nd of September and was hospitalized for two weeks with ABO incompatibility
THE FUTURE
- To be continued…
Hi.
It is nice to meet a fellow old-Affie! Thank you for sharing your story.
I am excited with you about the future. May it be a blessed year for you and your family.
Thank you Rolene, I trust 2016 will be a blessed year for you too xx
Begun, the great internet edouitacn has.