Saturday 8 October 2011

Friday 7 October 2011

Meet Magic


Meet Magic - my 7.5 year old grey tabby cat! Smart as a whip, curious, mischievous and spoilt rotten! Living in the lap of luxury, blissfully unaware of the thousands of animals out there who are not this privileged! :-)


Ah.... it's a cat's life



This is not monkey business!

It's been a week of inspiration! I haven't been this motivated in a long time!

I read up on other people who have quit their jobs to follow their dreams - so inspiring! If they could do it, so can I! Yes, it can be done - with a bit of a plan and some money to tide one over until you can make some money doing your 'passions'. It is never easy to take this kind of plunge - but I've discovered so many like me - people who hated their jobs and were miserable. People who felt a calling to make a change in their life, change direction and have never looked back. It's still scary - but I feel a bit more reassured that I can take on this challenge.

In addition, I received feedback from a Primates Sanctuary in The Netherlands about my application to do volunteer work there next year (after my USA trip). They are happy for me to come and volunteer! Wooo-hoo! There's just one little problem. I would need a letter from my employer saying I am returning to my job for my Schengen visa. And I won't have a job, so I doubt I will get a visa. :(  How do I get around this? Another reason I hate living in South Africa. Other countries are always so wary of anyone from the african continent visiting their country, that they put you through the ringer to get a visa. One always has to prove you are going back to your miserable little country in Africa! Even Mexico (another third world country) wants proof we will not stay in their country!

I don't know how I am going to get a visa, but I would love to go.
Here's a link to their website:  http://www.aap.nl/english/index.php

AAP Sanctuary for Exotic Animals is a European rescue centre and sanctuary for primates and other exotic mammals. Based in the Netherlands, AAP house animals from all over Europe. These animals have been confiscated, abandoned or offered by private owners as a result of illegal trade, were being exhibited in illegal zoos or used in biomedical research or the entertainment industry.
AAP specialises in housing primates, but other small, non-domesticated mammals, such as raccoons, skunks and prairie dogs, also find shelter at the centre. Many of the animals have a history of abuse and neglect. At AAP they receive the professional care needed for their physical and mental recovery. After a careful process of rehabilitation, long-term solutions are sought through outplacement. They aim to outplace animals in relatively natural environments, such as renowned zoos and animal parks.

Look for opportunities and you will find them! This is what I'm learning.


Tuesday 4 October 2011

2012 - The year my life will change forever!

Following the drama of 2 weeks ago, life has gone back to normal.

Knowing that I am not about to face a life-altering change, I got back to the business of planning my USA trip and looking for opportunities in the animal field with fevour!

My plan for 2012.
  • Resign from my mind-numbing job.
  • Travel to the USA and spend about 2 months there.
  • And go about the business of following my passion, which is a combination of three things: animals, writing and travel.
Animals, writing and travel - none of these things will make me much money! And therein lies the problem. So when I come back to South Africa - what then? I know I don't want to continue working the way I have been and I will not have a job to come back to, so when the money runs out - what then?? How do I get to do the things I love and make a living out of it?? This is the scary part. And I cannot lie - I am terrified! I am taking a big risk. But then lots of people have done just that - quit their jobs to follow their passion and never looked back.
In Oprah's final show, she encouraged everyone to "Find your passion and get about the business of doing it!"
Oh Oprah, my dear, you make it sound so easy!!

But Oprah is right. It may not be easy. But only when we are doing what we are meant to be doing with our life, are we really happy, fulfilled and content. And as Oprah says, everyone has a purpose and something they are meant to be doing. We have all been given different gifts, talents and passions and God expects us to use those talents and gifts - that's why he gave them to us. We become unhappy, miserable and dead inside when we are stuck doing something we should not be doing. Ask me - I've been dead for years - I tap my wrist searching for a pulse - NO PULSE!  I am the living dead. People who are following their passions have a light that shines from them - they are ALIVE! I long to be alive again.

Wise people say, once you start to follow your passion, money will come. Yes, it may be a struggle in the beginning, but once you start opening yourself up to the things you are meant to do, opportunities come and doors start to open and eventually money comes. I damn-well hope so!!

So, my trip to the USA will involve visiting friends and family and doing lots of sightseeing and I am super excited! Even a short trip to Mexico is on the cards!

Best FriendsBut once done visiting friends and family, I would like to volunteer and spend time at an animal organisation / sanctuary. I found a great one - Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah.

After stumbling across the website, I then discovered they have a Veterinary Technician program for students currently studying, an internship doing general animal care and volunteering. First prize for me would have been the Veterinary Technician program as I did study a Diploma in Animal Health and would love to do some hands-on Vet work. But because I am not a current student and do not have 3 months hands-on experience in a Clinic, they won't accept me for that. However, I can do the 4-week internship. Whoo-hoo! So Utah here I come!

I am little worried about being in the Utah dessert at the tail end of summer as I don't cope well with heat! But oh well...!

Click on the links (in blue) in this post for some info on this awesome animal sanctuary.
Or go to http://www.bestfriends.org/

If you love animals - consider supporting or donating to this wonderful organisation! There's a branch in Los Angeles as well.

Here's a video clip of Dogtown at Best Friends!