First Christmas, New Year and birthday abroad

Being the first year away from home and a family Christmas I was a bit concerned about how I was going to find it.

“The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.” 

― George Carlin

“Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more....” 
― Dr. Seuss

"There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it. " -  Alfred Hitchcock 

Happy to say despite obviously missing absent family and friends it was lovely.

I am house sitting at the moment, so my little adoptive family consists of...

Layla and Mia who have a harmonious relationship (ahem!)

"Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well. " - Mahatma Gandhi 

Spotty snuffling in the grass

Trixy running round the tree

tropical fish

 and guinea pigs

... not to mention Frankie, Donsie and Lala who are always knocking around in my affections somewhere.

Christmas eve was spent at work finishing a few things off before heading home to skype for the traditional 'Twas the night before Chtristmas' poem by candle light - Christmas would not be the same without certain traditions! 

"There is no ideal Christmas; only the one Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions." - Bill McKibben

Christmas day I woke up pinned against the wall by Spotty and Trixy who clearly need three quarters of the bed and lots of cuddles.  Mum and I opened our presents over skype and then off I went for a bike ride and a walk.

So, I was the little kid on their new bike at Christmas, cycling in 40 degree heat after 20 years away from a bike was rather interesting, but great fun, but for the burnt ears! 

After the ride I headed off for a walk through the veldt.

Here is some of the scenery we see on a day to day basis...

Hartebeest

oryx / gemsbok

Rainy season has started, with a vengeance and everything is springing into life

On my walk I took with me a little friend. For the full hour, Mia, the baby jackal, followed me! She pottered after me, caught a mouse, rested in the shade and lapped from the puddles! At one point I looked down and thought about what I would be doing at home now, or this time last year, or how many other people were walking a baby jackal in the bush on Christmas day! Not too many I am sure.

Not looking too exhausted for an hours trot round the pan!

Around 4pm -ish I headed down to the volunteer area where we were braai - ing chicken and pork, after a few beers and a relax in the sun and a few speeches a delicious dinner was served.  Dinner was shared with dogs, cats, warthogs, lambs (one in a santa's little helper jacket!) and a baboon running round!

As with every Christmas party more sparkling wine was consumed and lots of good chats and good times had by all. 

Boxing day involved more walks and rides and animal time. In the evening I headed out for cheese and wine and a lovely dinner surrounded by dogs and lambs pottering around! 

The last few days of the year have involved days of work and days of relaxation.

Here is me and Molly the meerkat doing some work in between Christmas and New year...

 On a coupe of days I managed to see Frankie and Donsie in the pan and around the house, they are growing up so fast now and spending time with them seems to get rarer and rarer, so I hardly get any pics of them now. 

I see feet, but no babies!

Aha! Look, there's a baby!

Donsie is now very blond and is losing her baby donkey fur, so she looks very shaggy, and Frankie becomes a little more wild and independent every time I see him, I even think he may have grown an inch with all the new life in the grass! 

“I would have given anything to keep her little. They outgrow us so much faster than we outgrow them.” ― Jodi Picoult

They have made friends with a pregnant female donkey, who I have named Buddy - as she slowly begins to trust me and becomes my buddy! She even came to me and nuzzled my back for more tickles today. She must have been jealous having seen all the scratches the other two were getting. Mia - the jackal - appeared with them today, not sure what to make of them, nor them her. 

I took my birthday off and had the following day off, making a nice couple of days break. My birthday was spent relaxing in the morning with the dogs and receiving birthday wishes (thank you!), I skyped with the family early afternoon and watched them blow out candles and eat cake on my behalf, hmmmmm I see what you did there! Seriously though it was lovely to see them all. After a nice walk I got ready and headed to our lodge for dinner, drinks and dancing!

Lets get this party started!

Shots- really, have you not grown up?!

No we have not!

New Year's Eve - brought to you by Gangnam Style!

Never fight with a very big man who has huge boots on (when you are in sandals) over which square is yours to dance in - he will win, even if the injuries are accidental!

New Years day also saw a mini birthday celebration of lekker zebra cake mmmmm! 
(thank you!)

So, its the end of 2012 and the start of 2013. After 2011 was the year from hell, 2012 seemed to be both the year for settling back to normal and the start of adventure.

“When one realizes that his life is worthless he either commits suicide or travels.” – Edward Dahlberg
(to be clear things weren't quite so dramatic!)

Having landed back in Namibia and settling in the place made sense again.

“I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” – Mary Anne Radmacher Hershey

Its seems like the last few months have taken me from one place to another, from the constant curiosity of what was around the corner...

“Traveling is like flirting with life. It’s like saying, ‘I would stay and love you, but I have to go; this is my station.’” – Lisa St. Aubin de Teran

and I realised that 

“Too often. . .I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen.” – Louis L’Amour

and it was time to

“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.” – Fitzhugh Mullan

“Once in a while it really hits people that they don’t have to experience the world in the way they have been told to.” – Alan Keightley

(or planned to)

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag

But for right now I am staying put.

“People don’t take trips – trips take people.” – John Steinbeck

(and this one has taken me and is keeping me here for now)

I think it was in 2004 a very good friend told me that I should make that year MY year, and it was. Think I am due another one!

Hello 2013, you are MINE, hope 2013 will be YOUR year too.

"And now let us welcome the new year, full of things that have never been." - Rainer Maria Rilke