Business as a Biology

At the beginning of last week I walked into my genetics class, after making sure sixty billion times that I had built my timetable correctly, and that I had all the right venues and as I took my seat I was relieved to see that the lecturer standing at the front of the class was one which I remembered from a previous semester. This was a good indication that I had indeed found the correct class.

However, as the class started I was shocked to find that the first lecture slide had the heading ‘Entrepreneurship’. Now anyone who has ever met a biology student knows that there are two things which apply to almost all of us. The first is that we are the only group of scientists which are completely allergic to maths and the second is that we are generally clueless when it comes to anything business related.

I was in shock and was about to do that awkwardly embarrassing half stand up, half crawl out of the class which I haven’t had to do since first year, when I looked around and realized that almost all of the faces in the lecture hall looked familiar. I paused and thank goodness I did because in the next five seconds the lecturer went on to explain that this particular module was business for biologists and I was actually in the right place.

After my initial sigh of relief, I suddenly found myself right back in panic mode as I thought back to my Grade 9 accounting classes and about how terrifying business could be. I took another look at the faces around the room and I saw my feelings mirrored in every one of their faces. We were all terrified and every single one of us considered getting up and running for our lives.

It is now more than a week later. I have attended all the classes and yesterday marked our first tutorial and I am proud to say that I not only understand what is going on but I am, in fact, loving this module. And this morning at the eight o’clock lecture that I actually managed to attend I noticed that not only was I enjoying it but so was the rest of the class.

So I would just like to say to Dr Paul Hills (the lecturer) that I am incredibly grateful for all his weird examples, strange old quotes, and creative thinking exercises which have not only made lectures on business (yuk) manageable, but actually enjoyable too. And to all of my classmates who allowed me (the random outsider) into your groups and discussions, thank you too. Because if it wasn't for your semi-familiar faces I would never have found the correct venue. 

Super Kat

Like so many other expert level procrastinators, and the general populous of useless people who never achieve their goals, I like to start things on a Monday. I never start a new goal or lifestyle or diet on any other day of the week. These things have to start on days which are easy to measure, days which are perfect and days which result in an extra week of laziness if a silly mistake (usually the product of my subconscious) happens to ruin the day.

So, because today is Monday and because term has now started, and the stress of having a birthday party is behind me today was supposed to mark the day of the new super Kat version 6billion and three. But it is only lunch time and I have already decided that today is not the day for me to launch the new super Kat because I am slightly sick, or because I am too busy this week, or because it is too hot today.

Yes, the expert of excuses is back and I have come up with every possible reason to not go to gym this afternoon. I have also come up with a billion different reasons for why I shouldn’t go to the library and get some work done. I haven’t done the dishes, but don’t worry because I have an excuse for that too.

And this is the problem with new goals. In my mind if I fail day one of the goal, the goal is completely abolished when actually what I should be thinking is if I don’t do it today, then I have to do it tomorrow along with all the other things I had planned for tomorrow. So dishes that aren’t washed today make a bigger pile for tomorrow. Homework that isn’t done today will be added to tomorrow’s stresses and work. And ultimately this is going to result in a fat Kat who lives in a messy flat and is once again cramming an entire semester’s worth of work into her head a week (the night before) before the exam.

So, because today is Super Kat day I will be doing twice as much work today so that I can spend twice as long at gym tomorrow when I am feeling like a human being again and in the meantime I am going to get off of this stupid blog and go wash the dishes bearing in mind that when I eventually get round to my new diet that I will be using fewer dishes. 

Time To Retire

To say that this morning started abruptly would be an epic understatement. I am not entirely sure what woke me but suddenly I was sitting bolt upright in my bed with such an extreme ache in my head that it felt as if someone had lodged an axe in it. This was followed by my stomach performing an incredibly impressive number of backflips and then I made the mistake of thinking, just to add insult to injury.

My first thought was; OMG please tell me that I didn’t drive last night! This was followed by; What the hell happened last night? And finally; Stupid polka dot dress! As I am sure you have all figured out by now, I was HORRIBLY hungover this morning. And you’re probably wondering why? Well even if you aren’t, I am going to tell you.

So, yesterday I celebrated my aging another year and gaining a whole new bunch of grey hairs with a kid’s birthday party with all my semi-alcoholic friends. Now after my last birthday party my besty’s boyfriend had to carry me home, feed me chicken McNuggets and tuck me into bed, so I already knew that I was in for a rough time.

I then went and aggravated the powers that be by wearing my Polka Dot dress. For those of you who don’t know what this means I will just say that every time I have worn that dress I have had a blackout binge. Apparently the gods just couldn’t believe that one human being could be so completely suicidal and decided that I needed to be punished for my alcoholic tendencies.

This punishment came in the form of too many jelloshots, a bottle of Villiera’s best champagne, strawberry daiquiris and a few too many rounds of Kings. This resulted in an extremely drunk Kat who only made it to a 18:30 bed time and who doesn’t remember most of the… (Well this is awkward) afternoon.

But not to worry, because from what I see in the pictures it looks as if I enjoyed my birthday party and luckily for me I have you wonderful creatures who got me home safe and sound and even made sure that I had a bucket to throw up in which I didn’t even end up using (self-five).

This morning, however, was a very different story. After chundering my lungs out and reminding myself how stupid I am I realised one very important life lesson; I should NEVER EVER binge drink. So don’t worry Murphy, I have learnt my lesson. I will not be tempting fate again and on that note I am officially retiring the Polka Dot dress.

You will NOT be missed.

A Happy Kat is a Grateful Kat

It seems to me that once again, time has run away from me and I have woken up to realise that it is almost August (when did that happen?), I haven’t blogged in what feels like a lifetime and I wouldn’t even know where to start telling you all what I have been up to lately. But wow, I have been doing some pretty incredible things lately.

It only takes one read through of my blogposts to realise that I have insanely crazy mood swings and that I am probably a little psycho and most likely in desperate need of a shrink. The good news however, is that this week I have been on an incredible high.

This is strange considering that somehow this week already marks the beginning of third term and the beginning of my (hopefully) final year at Stellenbosch, which means that I should be complaining about how short the holidays were, how much I hate my new lecturers and how I am already freaking out about all the work I have to do.

Instead, I am sitting at my computer with an incredible hangover, starting to get sick and in a flat that looks like it was hit by a hurricane and I couldn’t possibly be happier.

So what’s with the sudden high? How did I finally get out of my stupid, self-involved slump? Well the truth is that, as usual, my friends and family came to my rescue. I don’t know what it was about the last couple weeks but it seems as if suddenly you all decided to make me feel like the luckiest girl alive. And boy oh boy it is magnificent.

Between awesome dinner parties, many a coffee date, a couple nights out and meeting the coolest kid on campus plus a super awesome birthday party (which I don’t remember) I have done so many amazing things and seen most of my favourite people that I now feel like a brand new person without a care in the world.

So, in the hopes of maintaining my new happy state I have decided that August is going to be a month of smiles, laughter, new places and new things with all my wonderful friends so that when the inevitable mood swing happens and I end up feeling like I have once again hit rock bottom I will at least still have some friends who will pick me back up, dust me off and tell me to get over myself.

And to all of you wonderful creatures who helped me out in the last couple weeks, I must say that I am eternally grateful and I love you all madly.  

Fat Ducks Make For Happy Kats

For a while now my parents have been going on and on about how wonderful Foie Gras is. As far as I can work out, Foie Gras is the liver of a duck that has been overfed to the point where it is about to explode. As you can imagine, this has all you green, ‘animals have emotions,’ ‘I’ll support any cause’ type people up in a huff because of the inhuman treatment of the animals. I imagine however that all of those people who are against it have never tried Foie Gras because I tried it today for the first time ever and I am now firmly camped in team kill-the-stupid-ducks.

It all started a couple weeks ago when my mum and I were on Google, looking for places that sell truffle oil, and we stumbled across the Wild Peacock Emporium in Stellenbosch. According to their website they not only stocked a wide range of exotic treats and indeed the truffle oil that I was looking for but they also stocked Foie Gras.

Immediately my mum and I were excited and we decided that if I could find any, we had to buy it. So off I went in search of Foie Gras and Truffle Oil. And when I got to the Wild Peacock I could not have been more delighted. The staff were friendly, happy and helpful and ensured that my every desire was immediately attended to. I couldn’t help laughing however when I saw the shock on their faces as I asked for what I am sure were the two most expensive items in the shop.

They obliged me though and soon I was standing at the freezer with the Foie Gras in my hands. Due to my complete ignorance, I had no idea what I was actually looking for and it wasn’t long before I was on the phone to mom asking for her advice. It was now the shop attendants turn to laugh at me but he assured me that I had the right thing and that it was going to be absolutely wonderful.

I was then put in charge of finding the perfect wine with which to pair the Foie Gras, and my mom insisted that we needed Klein Constantia’s Vin De Constance which is a sweet wine with a very interesting history and many rave reviews. So off I went to Klein Constantia in pursuit of the correct wine.

Again I was greeted by a friendly salesman who looked at me as if I was crazy when I marched in and asked for the most expensive wine on the list. The couple who had been speaking to the salesman before me were intrigued by my order and it didn’t take long for me to strike up a conversation with the couple while the salesman packaged the beautiful bottle up for me. By the time I left the beautiful farm I felt positively buoyant, filled with excitement and happy about the friends that I had made along the way.

So, in lieu of the upcoming Bastille Day, my mum made us a French feast worth dying for and after my first mouthful I must admit that I am completely in love. The Foie Gras literally melts in your mouth and the red wine reduction added just the right combination of sweet and fruity to the meal. This, and the perfect wine pairing led to a meal which I will no doubt never be able to forget. And I urge all you wannabe hippies to get over your need for a cause, empty out your bank accounts and spoil yourself with this exquisite delicacy.

Winter Wonderland

So here we are for the second week in a row, sitting at The Dock, with my vodka and lime in hand, waiting for the Winter Wonderland to begin, again.

Due to the ridiculous cold and miserable weather last weekend the parade had to be cancelled and attendance was poor to say the least.

But as I sit here watching all the people milling around I am filled with a quiet hope that this weekend will be better. The lights are up, the streets have been swept, and the ghost house is ready to terrify. Gordons Bay looks absolutely wonderful dressed up to the nines.

There is gluwein brewing, there are fires on every street corner, carnival rides and facepaint. This is truly fun for all shapes and sizes. If you are looking for some fun and festivities for the weekend then I would highly recommend the Gordons Bay Winter Wonderland

Holiday Fun

It seems to me that this year is just disappearing before my eyes and before I knew it I looked up and exams were over; it was holiday again. Back in the days of highschool when holidays were only four weeks long it seemed as if the holiday was always jam packed full of activities or farm related duties and I invariably went back to school more exhausted than ever.

Then I went to varsity and suddenly everything changed. July holidays were suddenly two months long and being stuck on the farm in Carolina became a living nightmare but staying in the ghost town which Stellenbosch becomes during holidays was even worse.

This year is different though because my mom has finally moved down to the Western Cape like all the other sane South Africans who enjoy having clean towns, proper roads and government officials who aren’t robbing you blind. This means that I now get to spend my holidays in Gordon’s Bay, which is close enough to Cape Town to be awesome but far enough so that you don’t have to be a snooty rich snob to afford just being alive.

So now my holiday is jam packed with all the amazing vistas, fun playtime and exquisite meals and I have been thoroughly enjoying every second of it. I have therefore decided that from now on I would like to climb into bed at night, thoroughly exhausted because I have been doing all the best things which Cape Town has to offer.

And that way I will guarantee that when December creeps up on me, I will have loads of amazing memories to remember this rather important year by.