Coo-eeee

I know, I have been dead quiet for a whole month and a bit – but this time I have a really good excuse. I went to boot camp for a whole month after work. I ran my legs into serious knee injuries and ran further still until the last night when I finally killed a quad muscle too.

It has been a week and I’m still at the chiro and doing my hot pack/cold pack routine. I miss boot camp.

What is new in the life of the Leprechaun and Suzy? Well, the Leprechaun and I are getting married in 6.5 months on the beach. We have signed some nice papers and may have some great news soon. We’ve also decided to get rid of a lot of stuff so I will still sort through my stuff.

I’m also noticing that Mr Genie is really starting to get old. I’m suspecting he is losing his sense of smell. My kitty better not get old on me...

The men in my life

Last night something really hilarious happened, but let me give a little background information...

My extra large kitten sleeps on the bed. He takes more than a quarter of the bed – leaving me with a quarter.

Last night the Leprechaun put the kitten in his kitty Igloo and boing... out is kitty. He jumped straight onto my chest and first stood there for a good scratch. I think the Kitty tattle-taled on Mr Leprechaun for throwing him off the bed!

Dating questions answered

So many questions, so little time! I love getting questions... so keep ‘em coming!

• Where did you meet your fiance? Was it related to the internet dating or like so many comments I read you need to meet someone in your social circle? Does internet dating work?

We used to work together about 5 years ago – but back then I ignored him as he was a real player and I really wasn’t about to become a number. Then one sunny day (almost 2 years ago) he contacted me via Facebook and we went on our first date (ever) – it took him about 2 weeks to ask me out though. The rest, well, is history.

Social circle... what if there are no eligible guys in your social circle. In my case the guys were either (a) short (b) was dating my friends (c) bored me to tears. Then there is also the little problem of if you date someone in your social circle and you have a nasty break-up... then you most probably will bump into him/her more often than someone from outside your friends’ group.

• Did dating a whole lot of people make you good at dating and being more sociable? Maybe give you the confidence to put yourself out there?

I don’t think you’ll ever think of dating as recreational again after going on so many dates, but it also has its upsides. You get to meet people and learn to pick up on things that you dislike faster (saving the both of you a lot of time). It also helps you to become a great conversationalist that can get a "dating interview" started.

It never is easy to just put yourself out there – it never was easy for me, that is why I chose to go the online dating route. Apparently I never noticed when guys flirted with me in person (at clubs, bars, etc) either – I guess they felt rejected and decided to not walk up to me to actually talk to me!

• Did you ever remain friends with some of the guys on the dating web sites or was it pretty much 'let just be friends = dont call me again' - i.e. Can you use internet dating to meet friends?

I definitely met quite a few great guys while being an online dater. Some I really didn’t have anything in common with others were great friend material. I still chat to 2 or 3 of them – never really see them anymore as they are hitched now. I do however still get great tips from them about awesome restaurants!

In the end it doesn’t really matter where you meet your next (or last) boyfriend/girlfriend. The only thing that matters is that you meet the one that makes you happy.

Spending time together

After almost 2 years of dating the Leprechaun and I are still having fun. We have just had a long weekend and decided to stay at home with my beloved Mr MooKow.

Our first day off, get DSTV on again – after 6 months they might have new programmes one. I watch TSN and Zone Reality... and my Leprechaun... Hallmark, Action and Series.

Day two – there was a day two? I think we washed clothes and stayed in watching DSTV. Lame, I know.

Day three – awesome, we went shopping and had lunch with his mom.

Day four – put up the new clothes line and discover the new blind from Makro has no strings. Very disappointed and iffed off about that blind – returning it this weekend.

Mr MooKow (the cat) enjoyed having his minions around.

PS. Will answer the questions on Friends & Neighbours blogpost on my next post!

The Getaway

It really is great to be in a relationship with someone like my Leprechaun. Not only doesn't he nag (like some men do) when I want to shop a little; nor does he complain too much that I wake at 6am and by 7am wake him to get ready for the beach; and spends the whole day on the beach; and have the little romantic streak to take me for those tedious beach strolls (I know, it is not easy walking on beach sand)...

So anyway, my pearl of wisdom for the day (now that I am 30...)

Dating someone that does not share your interests will make it a little harder to spend quality time together. You may be so different that between work and hobbies you only get to spend an hour a day together before going to bed.

Kitten love

Mr Genie has been a big part of my life for the past 9.something years and last weekend he got into a little cat fight. My Leprechaun was the first to be downstairs... even though I was the first to get under 2 cars to fish my unhappy kitty out.

Since Saturday, I'm proud to say, Mr Genie is now again my personal bodyguard. When I wake up, he is on the bed. When I get home, he is on my parking space.

... I just have to train the Leprechaun to cook during the week :)

Being the Constant Gard'ner

Nurturing a relationship is like having to play the gardner. Too much or too little of anything can kill it. Gardening is hard work, a lot of guess work and even more natural coaxing and love of the "plant"

If you are one of those people that really can't stick it out and just about ready to quit the dating scene, why not try your hand at growing a plant from a tiny little seed? If you are able to do this, you most definitely are a caring person that just needed a bit of patience - and a break from dating!

Lessons of Life

One of the earliest lessons I learnt was from some guy that was madly in love with my sister (and that she was not even interested in).

We were all out with my parents on a 4x4 excursion and this guy tagged along. My sister completely ignored him and I felt sorry for him. We chatted quite a bit.

Then at the end of the day before he went home heartbroken he uttered one of the most profound lessons.

He said something like, "you are perfect, perfect personality, beautiful and I wish I had feelings for you". It might sound a bit harsh, but the jist is that no matter how perfect you are, sometimes you just aren't the one.

Every relationship | adds something new to your life

In my opinion, every relationship has some good. It might not be the biggest part or the part that you will remember after the relationship ends, but still ... you might have found something that is you in this relationship.

In a new relationship you (usually) get exposed to new things - things that were there, but never entered your little world. It might be something as simple as a dish or a band.

A guy that I dated in one of my very first relationships in Johannesburg, opened a new world of music to me. I used to listen only to pop and rock - but never heavy rock. To this day, I love listening to Linkin Park.

Another thing that has stayed with me was a line in a letter that a guy gave to me. It went something along the lines of: He wishes that he could enjoy life the way I do. Yes, it may come from a time that I didn't have a mortage and car to pay, but sometimes, just sometimes, I still see those words and I wonder, why am I not just jumping and doing the things that I want - then of course I convince myself and do it.

With my fiance I learnt that curries aren't bad and that his cheesecake "fetish" sometimes is a bad thing :) oh, and that not all Leprechauns wear bells on their shoes.

1 year dating anniversary

Our 1 year dating anniversary is coming up in a few months and I was thinking that maybe this time we should do something really different.
I have a balloon ride over Johannesburg in mind – even though I have a fear of heights.

The ride will only be for about 15 minutes and we could have a glass of champagne!

The secret slowly uncovers itself

So much for keeping it on the low-down until we have sorted the bling :) The fmilies know and the neighbours know.

Trying to count

Recently one of my friends asked me on exactly how many dates I've been. I tried to count, but somewhere along 76 I gave up.

I don't think it is healthy to have to try and remember the past too well!
I do however admit that I don't see anything wrong with going on as many dates as I did - it gave me the opportunity to meet lots of new people and make some new friends.

Another countdown

I have lots to count down to this year, Europe and the big secret.

Why do I suddenly have secrets? Well, Its not really a secret, more like an untold certainty. I know that most of you have guessed it anyway, but first off to Europe and then the rest of my life can happen. (Sounds a bit crazy - doesn't it?)

This weekend we will have the first mixed friends social at my house. Should be interesting as we have very different types of friends. I'm just I'm thinking, pool, sun, pool noodle and food.

I have important news - as always

I'm officially off the dating market - again. This time it may actually be for good.

Now don't jump to any conclusions just yet... just hang in there a little while longer.

Public affection

I'm all for showing affection in public. The holding hands/kissing thing is ok. What I saw in traffic today... uh-uh!

Stuck on the highway during peak lunch hour traffic a young couple driving a compact Mercedes were kissing for almost 2km. Then the girl flipped back her hair and went down... she only came up 1km away. Time wise it went on for about 20 mins.

Some things you can do in public and others you don't - but who am I to judge?

When you and the neighbours are a part of eachother's lives

I live in the middle of 2 interesting male neighbours. On the one side I have a recently single 26 year old and on the other a gay couple.

I have seen how my straight neighbour found a girl, got serious and now... go single on his Facebook profile.

My gay neighbours have been dating for about 3 or 4 months. (I must admit that I've probably become closer to them since they have 2 adorable kittens.) They have had their ups and downs, but have worked through it. Today was also a very important day for one of them. The other one is always there - supporting him, even through this.

I sometimes wonder why people can't see how the same gay and lesbian love is. It is a beautiful thing to see people grow so close and support eachother.

Love is... washing the dishes

... so I don't have to!

What do you do (even if you don't like it) so your loved one don't have to?

Now that Valentine's is dead and buried

... we can all go on with our lives and forget that it comes again next year.

Well, since 2008 is well under way and we have all forgotten our NY resolutions, we might as well start talking about interesting dating topics - don't you agree?

Single South Africans, get your next partner/boyfriend/girfriend soon - as winter is almost here!
For the rest of the world, if you haven't dated a South African - this is your chance. :) Just kidding.

Seriously, I'm sure quite a few people felt depressed over Valentine's. Especially those that got dumped right before or even on the day. Just keep your chins up and smile. Tomorrow will be better.

{ADVERT - Buy from Kalahari.net}

Yesterday I watched Oprah. She had the author of EAT, PRAY, LOVE. I really enjoyed the discussion and think I should get the book as it doesn't sound like one of those run of the mill type books.

If you want to read more about this book, Eat, Pray, Love - by Elizabeth Gilbert, then visit her website or go check it out on Amazon.com, Kalahari.net or Loot.co.za to buy the book or read reviews etc.

A life less ordinary?

Sometimes I wonder what my life would've been like if I had chosen to be a little more "ordinary/normal".

I guess I would've ended up being married by 22, with 2 kids by the age of 25, no career and being a housewife. There is definitely nothing wrong with wanting to be the mom/the wife/the caretaker, but is that always enough? Do people that got married young sometimes feel that they have missed out on something/life?

I can't even imagine having to change my chaotic lifestyle to accommodate someone special, because lets face it, I'm not the easiest person in the world to get along with or to adjust to. I'm just too much of an Aries.

In 10 years I have probably had more relationships that failed than what I care to remember. Finally, now, I am tired of dating.

The one thing that I've learnt in the last few years is that, boyfriends come and go, but my cat is always there. So, when I get home, I will have a tequila to that.

A Public Affair - Facebook Dating Status

Going through a breakup is hard, no matter the circumstances, but when it is a public Facebook affair - it becomes a little harder.

The whole changing of the "Facebook Dating Status" was more than just a little traumatic for me. It made the breakup public before I was ready to face it. I fear the worst when things like this are out of my control. I don't want pity emails landing up in my inbox. I'm ok, or will be ok, I'm not quite sure yet.

I guess I'll take time off from dating for now - untill after my holiday in Europe. I think I just need to clear my head and get back to clubbing and hanging out with my friends - for now.