Another Year of Minimal Hesitation

It’s time to celebrate the 10th anniversary of my 22nd birthday! Thank you to everyone who took the time to wish me a happy birthday, and a special thank you to my mother, who posted 40 ridiculously awkward photos of me growing up (was I the only one with a ridiculous bowl cut because of some famous ice-skater lady?).When I look back on my life, not much has changed (personality-wise). I still have an impulsive mouth that I don’t bother to try and control, I still have a feisty attitude (that sometimes I should probably control), and I still have an incredible life that has formed because of minimal hesitation.

I am going to continue to fly by the seat of my leggings (because I hate pants), and here’s why:

My unplanned life has worked out (somehow). Maybe it is because I am married to a super-organized planner, but I also believe I have a good perspective. My marriage was quick and spontaneous, and my son was a beautiful, unexpected surprise. And, although I got anxious about these milestones, it couldn’t have turned out any better.

Life won’t tolerate minimization. We can all make excuses as to why we won’t do something, but there are always choices. Why hesitate to go on an epic adventure? Traveling makes you a better person and makes you less ignorant about the world. Maximize life while you still can. I won’t hesitate, and neither should you.

Being spontaneous has put me in the best possible situations in life. Just because I have more responsibilities in my 30s, doesn’t mean I can’t drink champagne and eat gelato at 9 a.m. I can’t do it every day, but I sure as hell will when I have the chance. If the opportunity to go on a hot air balloon safari arises, do it. You’d be surprised at life when you start saying “yes” more often.

Grabbing life by the balls is much more satisfying than grabbing electronics to read the news (or look at social media). Sure, there is a lot of negative in the world that is caused by the media. But, you know what? There is also a lot of awesome shit to see that you’re probably missing out on because you can’t unplug from the TV or the computer screen.

Grab life by the balls. Just like this lady (see how happy she is?!).

Finally, if my life ended tomorrow, I will be pretty pleased about the life I’ve lived. I bet people on their death bed don’t think to themselves, “man, I wish I would have read more about politics or kept up with Facebook.” At 32, I still want to see my son grow up into an awesome human being and I still want to go on more adventures, but if that didn’t happen, I couldn’t be too mad.

For my 32nd birthday, I am going to Rwanda. I am going to walk with the gorillas and spend time in a country I have always wanted to visit.  When I was 21 years old, I got to write an international affairs column at Kent State University about Paul Rusesabagina. I got to listen to this man speak about saving more than 1,000 people during the genocide in Rwanda, and now I get to see the history firsthand.

Thanks again to everyone who wished me a happy birthday! Cheers to 32 and cheers to living a “No Hesitation Life!”

Phils in Africa Part #2

Like I mentioned in the last post, Phil and I had one day to wash our laundry and repack our bags for our next adventure: Phils on a Safari. We drove to Entabeni Lodge in Waterberg (The Legend lodge is famous for its golf course, which has a 19th hole that tees off on the top of a mountain and you can only get there by a helicopter). But, the Phils don’t golf so we spent our time going on safaris! 

We also spent our first night with a flat tire on the game vehicle (but the Phils don’t let a flat tire stop their maximization)!! 

After an awesome few days with Phil and some friends on a safari, we drove to Sondela Nature Reserve in Bela Bela. Sondela has a wildlife center where visitors can interact with the animals (that are being rehabilitated or live there permanently). The kudu roam free around the accommodations and we made some friends with the “kudu snacks” the reserve provided for us. 

After one night at Sondela, we drove back to Pretoria. We fit so much fun in a short amount of time. We had a few days of hanging out with ourselves and doing fun activities because they are cheap and affordable here.

We went to the spa a few times. Phil dragged me to HotPod Yoga, ALOT. We also smooched bellies after class for a job well done (we had to undo all the wine and sushi we had done to our bellies). We went to the movies, and I dragged her to the U.S. Embassy a few times so I could get some work done. We went out for lunch and/or just sat around the house like a couple of bums. 

We had such an awesome time. What I miss most about my best friends from home is that my filter comes completely off (yes, folks at Post. I’m much worse if you didn’t think I had a filter before). I’m going to miss my Phil like crazy!

Until we reunite again, our family and friends won’t receive any drunk Facetimes from us. And when a lady drops her coffee all over the grocery floor, I will just keep my mouth shut and help clean it up. I won’t have Phil to lean over to and whisper, “For fuck’s sake, Janet, get your shit together and stop drinking vodka first thing in the morning!!” 

Until next time, Phil. I love you!! 🇿🇦🇿🇦🍾🍷🍺🇿🇦💃🏼💃🏼💕💕

Phils In Africa, Part 1

Lately, I have been trying to keep up with blog posts because our tour in South Africa is flying by and I want to be able to hold on to these memories!

A few weeks ago, my best friend, Phil came to visit, and we had an EPIC adventure. For those of you who don’t understand the “Phil” thing, don’t worry, it’s not a good story (we worked with a guy named Phil, who basically got yelled at all the time. That’s it).

We started our #PhilsInAfrica adventure at the spa close to my house. The U.S. dollar is strong in South Africa and everything is pretty cheap. Plus, the spa is a great way to spend the first day of jet lag and a good way to combat the 6-hour time difference!

After one day of rest, I booked an Elephant Experience and Safari with Adventures with Elephants. This is one of my favorite places to take visitors. Phil got to interact with all the orphaned elephants (including an ornery baby, Zambezi)!

There is also a friendly meerkat, Trouble, living with the elephants. He likes to climb on people and talk to everyone!

After our elephant adventure, we drove to a popular game reserve close by and Phil got to see rhino, hippo, and other African animals!

After a few days in Pretoria, we packed our bags and flew to Cape Town! The first day, we rented a car and drove to Hermanus. Seeing the whales in Hermanus has been on my bucket list (and will have to remain there, because we did not see any whales). The weather in Hermanus was windy, cold and rainy. Fortunately, the Phils do not hesitate to maximize and we spent our time at Hermanuspietersfontein Wine Cellar (which has one of the longest brand names in the world, I think)!

From the photos, it’s pretty clear how our time was spent after touring the vineyard tasting rooms.

After Hermanus, we drove back to Cape Town and spent a few days on the Waterfront (with the seals) and visiting the penguins in Simonstown!

Before flying home, we visited one of my favorite vineyards, the Spice Route. The Spice Route has wine tasting, chocolate tasting, beer tasting, coffee tasting, and ice cream tasting (basically a one-stop shop when there’s limited time). The vineyard has two restaurants and a playground (everything is kid-friendly in South Africa, which is why I never want to leave).

We flew home from Cape Town, unpacked, did some laundry, and repacked for our next #PhilsInAfrica adventure! Stay tuned for Phils in Africa, Part 2! #PhilsOnASafari

Ivory Tree Game Lodge (and the first of many guests to visit our last year in South Africa).

After visiting the USA a few months ago, we had most of our friends and family sign up to visit us during our last year in South Africa (keep in mind, all of you, that in the future, we should spread out visits among our FOUR-year tours with USAID). 😉 However, we will always rally, and make sure that everyone has an amazing experience, visiting our No-Hesitation-Life household!

First up on the guest list, our good friends from Florida who decided to come visit just a few weeks after our return to South Africa. Visitors who have not been to any part of Africa are easy to host (other well-travelled guests, or those who have seen the famous Battle of Kruger are harder to please).

After sending them to Cape Town for a week, we packed up the car and visited one of our favorite places, Ivory Tree Game Lodge in Pilanesberg National Park. Ivory Tree is so accommodating to all guests and the experienced game drivers make all the difference. I previously requested to have Bonny, our game driver that we have had before, for the weekend. The drivers are much more than drivers–they are concierges, dinner hosts, and friends.  Bonny took us out every morning at 6 a.m. and every evening at 4 p.m. for 3+ hours. She had dinner with us (and a few drinks after… 😉 ). She made sure that we were always taken care of, and we were always having a great time, as per usual.

We were freezing most of the time, because it is the middle of winter in South Africa. The nights/mornings are freezing, but the days are around 70 F.

Bonny made sure we had hot coffee during the cold mornings!

Of course, Kent had to try and pet a bird…

Kent trying to get as close as possible to the elephants visiting the lodge…

Our (just a few) drinks with Bonny and the after-party that ensued…

 

Our friends got to see 4 out of the Big 5 in South Africa in Pilanesberg (we missed the leopard, which we have only seen twice in 3.5 years in SA). All around, it was a great trip. We have 10 months left in South Africa, and we are still not ready to leave. There is never a time where we are tired of seeing a giraffe or an elephant stroll by during a drive. Our next post will probably be just as amazing as South Africa (we don’t know where yet), but for now, we will continue to maximize life here while we still can!

Kloofing through Blyde River Canyon!

In South Africa, jumping off of waterfalls, spelunking through caves and hiking is known as “kloofing.” Before we got to see Jessica the Hippo, my spouse and his friends had gone kloofing for most of the morning. Blyde River Canyon is beautiful and here are some of the photos to prove it! 

I am upset that I missed this! I decided too late to join in on the camping trip!

Warning: Kloofing is not for everyone. Stay home if you have a fear of heights! 

   

  

   
    
   

Jessica the Hippo!

After having a huge case of FOMO (I just learned that word), I decided to tag along on a trip to Blyde River Canyon with my husband and one of his friends. We only have one year left in South Africa, and it is overwhelming to decide which adventures to cross off the bucket list before we head off to another country.

As we were driving, I saw the town of Hoedspruit, and immediately remembered watching a documentary of Jessica the Hippo. We were living in the USA at the time and preparing  to move to Pretoia, SA. Seeing Jessica was one of those items on my bucket list that had faded and forgotten about; until I saw the sign (insert Ace of Base song).

The documentary tells a story of Jessica being found washed up when she was only a day old. Since then, her care takers Tonie and Shirley love her like a daughter. Jessica has her own sleeping bag on the porch where she curls up every night!

The most interesting part is that Jessica is free to leave at any time. She is wild and sometimes has hippo friends over to play. She can come and go as she pleases, but comes home every night. 

If you’re ever close to this part of the world, do yourself a favor and go visit Jessica! 

Home

  
  She is so sweet! 

And so content with her life!