Have you figured out the second head fake?

Pictured: Randy Pausch

 Photograph taken from: http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1826574,00.html

I remember when I was searching for the man most famous for the title of this post, the late Randy Pausch.  I made sure that I was reading almost every piece that I came up with his name on it, until I came up to an article that was written in his honor in the Time Entertainment by Nancy Gibbs.

“Did you figure out the head fake? 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 dreams will come to you. Did you figure out the second head fake? The talk's not for you. It's for my kids.”

Randy Pausch

I just had to reflect on myself and wonder if I had really figured out the second head fake, have I done enough to make sure that I was leading a life that shed light towards the right path.  I remembered, from where I am at this present moment, I am slowly leading my life the right direction.  I have found the second head fake, for I was able to have my first qualification at the age of 21years.

I am leading my life towards the right direction, because I have managed to achieve a number of my goals and dreams; I have made my family proud of me and I have made myself proud.

That Other Love

Photograph By: Zandile Mcinziba

What do you do when you get into a shop and find a shoe in one of your favourite colours? Do you dare yourself into buying it no matter what the colour might be, or just go for another colour?

I found myself in an awkward position before I decided on owning these two beauties, didn’t want to buy them because of the brightness of the colour; but an advantage was that it’s my favourite colour. I fell in love with them in an instant; they truly are my other love.

I am…ME?!

Photograph By: Zandile Mcinziba

I am my mother and father’s daughter, granddaughter to the two most humble and funny grandparents in the world; sister to my siblings, nephew and niece to my aunt’s and uncle’s, aunt to the most adorable cupcakes (niece and nephews) in the world and friend to the craziest friends in my life.

The shy girl when meeting people for the first time, so hard to even laugh with because she has that serious face of unease since she’s not used to being around the people she is with. The girl who loves laughing so much that when you don’t know her you would think she has lost her mind.

I am ME, so full of life and love for my family for I am where I am today because of them; for if it wasn’t for them, I would not have been able to be writing this article at this present moment.

I am Zandile Mcinziba; a friend to many and a girlfriend to that one special man in my life.  I am one person who is so curious about life, especially about politics and our country. I am…MEJ!!

Happiness



Photo taken from:

http://how2bewealthy.blogspot.com/2012/08/7-great-tips-for-finding-lasting.html



My true definition of happiness may differ to what other people think it is, and how they define it; for we all have our own interpretations of what certain things are and what they mean to us.

It’s one of the things I can’t really explain, I can’t put the meaning into words or even how I feel when I am happy. It is the craziest feeling that makes me smile nonstop, laugh in a funny way that sometimes amazes me as well.

It’s the most complicated feeling I still find it hard to explain, but yet leaves me feeling so good that I wish at times I would forever have be happy.  This is happiness to me, unexplainable; but yet makes one whole inside and short of words to express the feeling.

A Skill Set Called Leadership



Photograph taken from:http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadcon.html

Some people believe that they were born leaders, to some it comes naturally and some it’s forcefully set as part of the characteristics that define who they are.  Surprisingly enough, there are those who became leaders through being taught what a leader is; and how a leader is supposed to conduct him/ herself.

Leadership is a skill that enables people or leaders to be able to influence others, sharing common goals and values in order to reach or fulfill a certain task.  It is a skill set in order for people to be taught the values and characteristics of being a leader, it is how people are made and shaped into becoming influential people in the society.

It takes great initiative and effort being made a leader, than being born a leader.

F-R-I-E-N-D-S



Photograph by Zandile Mcinziba: Nontando Nkuna (left) and Zandile Mcinziba



That one special person you are never ashamed to call your friend, you can run into her for bail out if you are broke, unless you are both broke and there is nothing you can do about it but rather laugh at each other for being in the same situation. To me, all the crazy and small things are what make our friendship sp special.

The languages we speak are different, yet we try so hard to accommodate each other by trying to learn the language; and laugh at the mistakes we make in pursuit of knowing the language still.  That’s how special this friendship is to me; for I know you are not only a friend, but a sister to me.

You are one friend I am so thankful to have in my 4years of being a student at CPUT, a true friend you have been all these years.

What Motivates Me

Photorgaph taken from: http://www.squidoo.com/motivational-and-inspirational-quotes2

Waking up everyday knowing that there are people already looking forward to see my face, hear me laugh, hear my voice and see me smile is part of what keeps me motivated and positive minded each day.

My family is the foundation of where my motivation comes from, and the support system I have been exposed to all my life. It doesn’t really matter as to what job they occupy or what they are doing in life; all that matters is what they did to get where they are today, it is the effort they have put in all the hard work and the values that have made them to be the people they are today.

Sharing the same goals and understanding with a very special person in one’s life is also what motivates me; that one person whom you consult with before making decisions knowing exactly he would still support your decision even though you had contrary views, because your happiness matters too.

It doesn’t take all the luxuries in this world for a person to be motivated, but a lot more than that. 

It Doesn't Matter

Photograph by: Zandile Mcinziba

So often I have lived my entire life being questioned about my race, whether my family is black or coloured or whatever ethnic group that we fall under.  Many would approach me speaking Afrikaans, lucky enough I would be able to respond; some would speak Xhosa and still I respond in the same language.

Looking at how diverse my family is at times makes me beam and be proud of who I am, it makes me be more proud at the way in which I was brought up; the influence that both my maternal and paternal families had on me; and the values that I have been taught in my upbringing.

It doesn’t really matter what the colour of the skin is, and what race you are; all that is important is YOU as a person, not as a black, coloured or white person...because all that matters is that you are human still.

The 10 Unexpected Consequences Of Being Online



Photograph taken from:

http://anjapartanen.blogspot.com/2012/02/benefits-and-drawbacks-of-internet.html



So many things happen while we are busy browsing through the web, sometimes not knowing what we are looking for; but here is my top 10 list of what happens:

1. Being friends with strangers on social networks
2. Finding the truth while browsing on a “friend’s” wall on facebook
3. Giving your personal details on a trusted website and the next time you search your name on google the information appears
4. Getting a spam email about winning a prize of a competition you never even entered for
5. Avoiding people on your bbm, facebook, etc and then update your twitter via your smartphone
6. Telling a lie and when you being asked the same question you forget and tell another lie
7. Unconsciously and deliberately passing offensive statements 
8. Pretending to be someone you not and getting caught in your own game
9. Being attacked by people because of what you said
10. Ending up in a creepy website.

Know Your True Friends

Photograph taken from:

http://astralilitu.deviantart.com/art/true-friends-159384052

So many times we find ourselves in regret of what we have put ourselves through; not knowing what may be the results of our actions. The wise have said it in so many ways for us not to take for granted the relationships we have, but rather to nurture them and take care of those we love.

Friendship is very important, especially when based on trust and honesty; it takes a minute to break friendship but a life time to restore it to what it was before.  Know who your true friends are, before you lose them.  You might not get along with them at times because you know they mean well and they are telling you the truth, but value all the times you share with them; for true friends are hard to find.

The Elephant In The Room

Photograph taken from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elephant_in_room.jpg

Wherever we go, wherever we are; there will always be that one person who wants to be bigger than the others, that one person who sees his/ her views as being the most important than any of the other people surrounding him/ her.

At times trying to be the bigger person by shutting others down doesn’t always help, but rather alienates you from other people; you start wondering why you don’t have anyone you call a friend, why people don’t talk to you anymore forgetting that you have been the elephant in the room, you created the hurdle between you and the people surrounding you.

It takes a lot of courage to come to terms with realizing that you were at fault, but more time in trying to restore all the relationships you lost; so rather be your true self than trying to please everyone in the world.

Keep Your Audience Happy

Photograph by: Marysa Leukes, Arts and Culture Student Development Officer at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology

It is so amazing witnessing the way in which the CPUT Choir approaches things in the choral music industry; coming from the South African Tertiary Institutions Choral Association (SATICA) 2012 it is a surprise that they still remain positive and goal oriented even though they lost their championship title this year.

I remember how the crowd remained silent in each of their performances, and how the choir itself was so content before and after performances.  Even though they lost their championship title to the neighbouring university choir (University of the Western Cape), they kept their spirits high and said “for as long our audience was satisfied and happy with all our renditions, we remain champions to them”.

This made me realize that it is not about being the best, but doing what you love at your level best and with passion.

Every Day Is A Good Day

Photograph taken from: http://tzr.ro/sunny-day/

Our thoughts and attitude have a way of shaping our wellbeing, whether consciously or unconsciously. For every day to be a good it all starts with being a positive minded person, not allowing your position and conditions that you are in as an individual dictate how your day should be like.

You wake up every morning already having planned how your day will be like, it is also up to you to make sure that you defeat all the negatives that might shadow your positive mindset.

Therefore, smile so that each day could be a good day; forget your problems while you are around those who make you happy, and keep laughing knowing that there are people with bigger problems than you might have thought yours were.

A Moment of Silence

Photograph Taken From: http://www.collective-evolution.com/2011/12/02/a-moment-of-silence/

So many times we spend our lives with so many things surrounding us that we see no need to be grateful for, for we believe we deserve all the riches that come our way but we are still not happy enough with all that we have.

We live in a new South Africa where the colour of the skin does not matter as much as it did to those who fought so hard for everyone to be treated equally inspite of the colour of their skin, a moment of silence they do deserve.

People have lost their lives fighting for a better South Africa that we as the youth no longer see the past having a great significance of our present and shaping our future. For all the heroes and heroines who have sacrificed their lives and some whom were crucified for the cause they were fighting for…I give a moment of silence in respect of all the good you fought for.

It would take me years trying to mention each and every cause that citizens of this country have gone through in the name of fighting for a good cause, but to the unsung heroes and heroines of this land; I will forever give you the moment of silence from the bottom of my heart which that you deserve.

Shouldn’t it have been for you, who knows…maybe I wouldn’t have never been able to write this piece today(Moment of Silence).

Our greatest strengths are our greatest weaknesses

Photograph Taken From: http://www/thee2coach.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/weaknessesjpg.jpg

I once had a friend, whom I would love to refer to as a very special friend that I still have; may be in the past but memories do force me to refer to him as being in the presence of each and every day of my life.

He loved cars, and driving them fast and would always refer to himself as being the most young and qualified driver there ever was to possess a drivers license at a very young age and still have years of experience as I driver.

He had so much passion for driving around, and years of driving experience were his strength; until they became his weakness when he lost control of the car and lost his life in the scene.  As much as I may sound insensitive and “inhuman” to others; but his strength became his weakness.

“All is Fair In Love and War”

Photograph taken from: http://medias2.cafebabel.com/9069/thumb/355/-/all-s-fair-in-love-and-war-alls-fair-love-war-expressions-europe-idioms.jpg&imgrefurl

People do whatever they want to in order to capture the heart of their loved ones. When waging war, they use the power they have on their loved ones to be deceitful in order to get what they want, and that’s some kind of an excuse for deception.

An example to this is when our President Zuma had former President Mbeki leave office, and sooner he faced the same with Julius Malema…which then begs another cliché: “What goes around comes around”.

Loving Angels

Above: CPUT CHOIR female voice
Photograph taken by Zandile Mcinziba

So many times in life as we grow older and creating new ventures each day, we meet people that we get so attached and do not want them leaving our lives.  I have met loving angels disguised in the ladies within the CPUT CHOIR.

At first sight and encounter you would come up with your own perceptions that they are people who isolate you on purpose and who do not want you being part of the choir; but get to spend quality time with them and see the most amazing personalities within them.

In my 2years of being a member of this choir, I would proudly say they are the most loving angels I have ever met; with soothing voices and with an incredibly funny sense of humour; who always make your worst days to being your best.

Feelings Follow Behaviour

Photograph taken from: http://www.tressugar.com/Breaking-Up-Friend-Harder-Than-Breaking-Up-Boyfriend-8087526

The things that people do to us do show how they feel about us, and how much they truly mean what they do and say about us.  I had an encounter with someone I thought was my friend.

I remember how she would keep cutting me short in all the group works we would have for our course, all my views being trashed down by her whereas she had nothing better or reason enough to substantiate why what I said was wrong and what she said was right.

I knew that there was something making her behave as she did when it comes to me, why she would tell our other friends not to be friends with me anymore.  To her I was a bad influence to the others. 

I was angry that I even told her she was not a person I would refer to as a friend. What I felt at that moment made me realise that I don’t need people like in my life, as from then I treated her as though she was a total stranger that I have never even met before.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Photograph taken from: http://silverinternational.mbhs.edu/v223/v22_3_03b_harddecision.html

There was once a time I never thought I wouldn’t be tested on real and sensitive matter that would make me wonder what I really believe in, not as a daughter, sister, niece, cousin and or friend; but as a person, an individual.

What people close to you decide on might come to affect you on the long run, either directly or indirectly.  The decisions they make would somehow put you on a hot seat, to think whether you do believe or not, whether you want to be part of or not.

I had recently been in a situation where I was left with no choice but support the people I say I love even though their decisions were against what I believed in, I had to put my differences aside and think of how the person feels and what they are really going through.

It’s tough decision making that makes one realize of what kind of a person you are, when you are left with no choice but to either be for or against a person’s decision.

It Is Better To Practice A Little Than Talk A Lot

Photograph taken from: http://amannarezal.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html

I am finding it funny that people would keep giving others advice and lectures, telling them the rights and wrongs, what to do and what not to do. The more we keep hearing about these things that are not good enough for us to do, the more one expects that the same people telling you not to do those things are not doing them too.

One would start looking at these people with concern, and then the little inner voice that wants to go all out and tell them “Practice what you preach” being choked.  As many would say “talk is cheap”, one would expect that action does follow what is being said. 

Crazy Expectations Of Being 21

Photograph taken from: http://www.bestbirthdaywishes.net/21st-birthday-ideas-for-celebrations/&docid=Mh5QhdXPnFMqBM&imgurl=

I had thought that there would be a huge difference from the person I am, when I turn 21 years old.  I thought there would so many changes even when it comes to household chores being given to me (how crazy, lol).

It came to light on the day of my 21^st birthday party that I was not to be treated any different than I was, before the key was handed over to me, but rather I was told nothing was going to change; except for adding one more year on my age.

All my expectations of being 21 were just one of those crazy moments where you’d just picture yourself when you are already old with wrinkled face and grey light hair.

Wedding cake-in-the-middle-of- the road

Photograph taken from: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2010/03/

Fairytale weddings are a majority of every girl’s dream and without that day dream with your man coming up to you with a surprise by asking your hand in marriage; yoh, yoh, yoh!!

Walking down the street, and then suddenly there’s a huge cake in the middle of the road, then you start thinking twice on what to do:  go for a taste or fight those disrespectful cravings?

Keep thinking, and then you get a shock of your life when your man comes out of it shouting: “WILL YOU MARRY ME?!” for the whole world to hear…. You go, “Oh My God!! It’s fake..”, and then again “Oh Jesus!!..Did he just ask to marry me?” (Collapses).

Lost Respect

Photograph taken from: http://memecreator.net/holy-advice-dog/generated.php?imgid=129

Things have changed, and so have people.  One would wonder why am I saying this, well…here’s your answer to the question:

An elderly person is an elder no matter from which race and culture they are from, one is it to show respect and that’s it.  I remember the day I came across an old white man with wrinkled face and grey hair in town (Cape Town), he looked so lost and had his eyes fixed on me.

I had thought he needed help as I went closer to hear what he had to say when he called me, only to find out he was an old disgusting man who see girls my age as sex objects; since he had given me his business card to could call him so we could “have fun” in his hotel room.

I wondered if this was the way elderly men age, or whether he was being a pervert hiding behind his appearance and age…he lost the respect I had for him even though he was a stranger.

It Is A Poor Idea To Lie To Yourself

               Photograph taken from: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,530102,00.html

It is pretty much a poor decision to lie to one self, knowing exactly what the truth is.  It’s like holding on to that relationship knowing exactly that it will never work; they will never like you because daddy loves you more, or he will never leave his wife for you, or he is just not that much into you.

It is like hoping and patiently waiting for the wake of the dead, knowing very well it will never happen.  The more you keep lying, the more you keep emotionally draining and exhausting yourself, get up and smell the coffee; lying won’t get you nowhere than being stuck in a motionless train.