Bridget McNulty

29 gifts, 29 days

// June 30th, 2010 // 4 Comments » // Blogs, Cape Town, Decisions, Inspiration

It’s my BIRTHDAY on Saturday! And although I am turning all of 28 and should have grown out of such things, I am counting. down. the days. I absolutely love birthdays. Everything about them – celebrating, eating cake, being spoilt, presents (those above all).

But this year, in the spirit of growing older and (one hopes) wiser, I want to spread the birthday love a little further than just sitting back and waiting to receive gifts. I want a challenge.

So when I heard about 29 gifts, 29 days I was excited. Very excited. My mom told me about it, and the idea is that for 29 days you give a gift a day. They don’t have to be expensive (or even bought), they can be small and thoughtful, or homemade, or simply a kind word or an unexpected phonecall. The whole point is that you’re giving something to someone else every day. Making someone’s day, every day for 29 days! I love it.

I’m starting tomorrow, the 1st of July 2010, and as an added incentive to do one a day and not cheat and do five in one day (which, let’s be honest, sounds pretty tempting from here), I’m going to take a photo of each gift, or a representation of each gift, and post it right here, on this blog.

Find out more about the idea, here: http://www.29gifts.org/

Join me in my mission by commenting (and committing) below.

Let’s do it!

Spreading the bloggy love

// June 26th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // 29 Gifts, Blogs, Cape Town, travelling

Another reason I’ve been so quiet on the bloggy front lately (aside from, oh, I don’t know, one of the greatest sporting tournaments EVER being held in my country) is that I’m spreading my bloggy wings.

You’ll now find me, once a week, over at Travelstart Street, writing about a few of my favourite things (because blogging is one of those favourites, don’t you know). And remember Just the Planet? The lovely folks who made sure my man and I didn’t sleep in airports while we were travelling all over the world? I’ll be blogging from there, too, about Cape Town and travel and some beyootiful places to spend the night.

So head on over to Travelstart Street – http://www.travelstart.com/street/
And the Just the Planet blog – http://blog.justtheplanet.com/
if you’re in the mood for something a little different.

Never fear, though, with my birthday fast approaching (one week today wooohoooo!) I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and unknotting a couple of thoughts I’d like to chat to you about… For now, though, I have a stew bubbling on the stove, a man in need of one big hug (he doesn’t know it yet, but he needs it) and another soccer game to watch!

Have you been following the World Cup at all? Or is it just me who feels as if life now revolves around the results of two teams of strangers trying to shoot a ball into a net?

Taking time:

// June 25th, 2010 // 3 Comments » // Inspiration, Life (and the living of it), Time

I’ve had the most delightful week.

We had to take Monday off because of the soccer game being held at the Cape Town Stadium (in our street!) It was an afternoon game, and my man and I went – very exciting. Portugal scored 7 goals! I’ve been completely soccer mad, watching games almost every day (Me? Watching sport? Hard to believe!) but yesterday, for the first time since before World Cup madness began, I had a chance to catch my breath.

This was mainly because I had a half day at work (and alll day off today, yippee!) because we’re moving offices. I hadn’t realised quite how busy I’d been until I was faced with an afternoon of nothing to do. What bliss! Nothing on my To Do list, no chores to run, no emails to answer or phonecalls to return (well, yes, there were both of those, but I chose not to do them).

So what did I do? I went shopping. Slow, leisurely, lovely and relaxing shopping. I didn’t spend a fortune, I just needed a few essentials, but giving myself the afternoon to windowshop and wander around and look at anything I wanted to without looking at my watch (or my phone, which I had conveniently left at home) was a rare and lovely treat.

When I got home I pottered around watering my plants, and then did some sewing and mending I’ve been meaning to do for weeks (or possibly months). This morning I went to a Nia class, which was simply extraordinary – a combination of yoga stretches, dance, and a little bit of martial arts. I loved every second of it!

And this afternoon my man and I are going out for soup (at a place called Soupa – ha!) and then going for foot massages, one of our engagement party presents. After that I’m going to spend some time with the cutest girl in the world (my niece) and tonight we’re going to watch a movie. I ask you – what more could a girl want from a day?
(The answer is nothing!)

What’s so interesting, though, is that every week I have two whole days to myself, but I somehow never end up just doing what I want to do. There always seem to be things to do or people to see or places to go. But when I allow myself to slow down and just do what I feel like doing, followed by a little more of what I feel like doing, and a little more, I feel so wonderful! Vital and alive and full of energy (even though I went to bed late cause I was sewing up a storm…)

Do you ever have days of doing just-what-you-want? Why don’t we have more of them?!

Photo: cavan images, via naturally nina

Creating opportunity, one bite at a time.

// June 18th, 2010 // No Comments » // Cape Town, Inspiration

That’s the tagline for Khayelitsha Cookies, the COOKIE FACTORY I visited this morning. Yip, you read it right. I went to a cookie factory this morning. Yes, it did smell like heaven mixed with oxygen. Yes, there were slabs of brownies being cut up. Yes, I did see rolls and rolls of cookies being sliced up and rolled out and cut out and and and…

It was terribly exciting.

But it was also, believe it or not, for a good cause. Khayelitsha Cookies was started as an outreach program for previously unemployed, unskilled single mothers in Khayelitsha (a township in Cape Town). The company hires these sole breadwinners, trains them in baking, packing and other skills, and together makes the most delicious cookies (and brownies like I’ve never tasted before. Ever.)

Everything is handmade, but I mean hand.made. Cookies individually rolled out and cut. Hand-whisked batter. Chocolate shaved off for the chocolate chunk cookies, instead of just using chocolate chips. They use the freshest locally produced ingredients, their hygiene standards are exceptionally high (they wash their hands every half an hour!) and the atmosphere in the factory is joyful and family-like. Best of all, not only are the ladies now employed and supporting their families, they also collectively own over 25% of the company. Incredible!

Find out all about them, and read some of the ladies’ testimonials, at http://khayelitshacookies.co.za/

And buy their cookies! They’re selling at Pick n Pays in the Western Cape for only R10 a box (cheaper than mass-produced preservative-rich cookies!) and you can ask your local store to stock them too

How cool is the box design? How much do you love this company? (This much, she says, spreading her arms wiiiide).

World Cup fever…

// June 10th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Cape Town, Inspiration, Time

… has hit, in no uncertain terms.

I’m finding it extremely difficult to concentrate on anything, or think any thoughts that don’t relate to wearing rainbow-coloured clothing and making a noise and supporting our team.

And I love – love love love love love – that all of a sudden everyone seems to have jumped on the ‘We love South Africa’ bandwagon. I’ve been on it for quite some time, and it is so lovely to have so much company…

If you want to get in the mood (or just get a taste of how beautiful and ready and waiting everything is), check out this incredible photo essay.

I can’t wait!!

Photo: Frames of Mind

Marmalade, magic and mist

// June 4th, 2010 // No Comments » // Cape Town, Inspiration, Tea Parties

Believe it or not, I can actually talk about all three of those things…

Let’s start with marmalade.
I made some! From scratch. In my kitchen. It was terribly satisfying.
I don’t actually eat marmalade, but my man loves it so I thought I’d give it a go. What do you think? Pretty, hmmm? Maybe if you’re nice to me I’ll share the recipe next week.

The magic part comes directly from Madame Zingara. I went to the show last night and it blew me away! Extraordinary stuff. The tent is from the 1920s, entirely mirrored and decadently decorated on the inside, and it is filled with colour and life and wonder. Extraordinary performers – acrobats and hula hoop girls (twenty hoops in one go!) and roller skaters and singers, it was honestly jaw-droppingly good stuff. The food was wonderful too – four courses perfectly prepared and delivered (even though there were 300 people there). And, lastly, the company was fab. I was lucky enough to be with my man and four other fabulous folks, including one of my favourite bloggers – I Want That.

And, lastly, mist.
I’m working late today, for the first time since I started this job. It’s Friday evening and I’m ready to go home, but I’m waiting for some files to transfer, and they’re taking a long time. Outside it’s starting to get dark and the mist is rolling in over the mountains. It’s wintry today, and I am so ready to go home to my nice cosy flat, have a hot cup of tea, change into my schloompfy pyjamas and do nothing much of anything but eat dinner and hang out with my man for the night.

Lovely!

Small Daily Challenges

// June 3rd, 2010 // No Comments » // Decisions, Life (and the living of it)

Those words are all caps on purpose. You see, I think it’s the Small Daily Challenges that turn us into the people we really are.

Allow me to explain…
As most of you know, I recently got a job. This might not sound so extraordinary, except that for the last couple of years I’ve been working for myself – from home – freelancing. That means minimal interactions with people I don’t like, and no work I don’t enjoy. It might sound like a dream-world, but surprisingly, after a while, it starts feeling stagnant. If you only do what you like doing, you never learn how to do anything else. Aaand if you don’tt ever interact with people you don’t gel with, it’s difficult to learn Advanced People Skills (again, all caps intended).

So what I’ve learnt in my two months on the job (woohoo! Two months already!), apart from the heaps and heaps of practical stuff that has made me way more hireable, is that it’s the Small Daily Challenges that shape the kind of person you become. When faced with a snotty colleague, how do you respond? Do you retaliate or smoothe things over? Given the option of badmouthing someone who really deserves it, do you speak out or hold your tongue? In situations that are delicate and full of subtext, do you stir the waters or try to play peacemaker?

I think it’s this delicate dance of learning how to work with other people that turns us into someone who is admirable and trustworthy, or someone who you have to watch every word around. And I am trying, as much as possible, to be the former and not the latter. Who knew? An office job is as much about personal relations as it is about sitting in front of a computer.

I wonder what I’ll learn next?

Photo: Incase