Melancholy: a Quiet, Gentle or Pensive Sadness

Those of you that follow me probably at one stage wondered why melacholymons was silent for two years. Just after I returned from France in 2014 my career took a turn and I found myself  lending my hand to content and creative control of the corporate website. To cut all long stories short, I am now back in my home town of Cape Town, South Africa (SA), having studied and qualified in what I love, I am Monique at PR.

So what inspired to me set my fingers to the keyboard on a more private rather than professional note? For those of you that do not know the story, I am going to let you in.

Since a young age I have loved to write. The natural flow and order in chaos of the English language is fascinating to me, the delightfully daunting game of my OCD in words, the right fit, focus and the right feeling.

I completed my American High School Education through correspondence course in half of the 4 years assigned and was accepted with flying colours into the University of Cape Town (UCT) to study a Bachelor of Arts (BA): English, Media and Writing. Shortly after that I discovered that I could not begin study as SA did not recognise the SATs (US American High School Diploma). The way forward was an exemption certificate from Department of Home Affairs, to which I have applied 3 times and the government of our fair land being as it was/is, I have not yet received it 14 years later. Crushed as I was I enrolled in a Secretarial course and my life took a different turn.

I tell my fellow Capetonians now that I found myself in Kwazulu Natal.. When I was living in Cape Town I didn’t know who or what I was, 10 years I was in Durban and I went through hell for heaven’s sake. Through the avenues and gutters, victories and burdens, butterflies and sorrow, love and loss I battled, a quiet Friend alongside me guiding me to finding me.

From 2012 – 2015 I was running, albeit in the right direction. Studying an average of two courses per year, I qualified in Writing for the Web (SA Writers College), Web Design (Web Design Academy), Safe Work Practices (Chevron – qualified High Risk Permit Issuer and Harmful Gas Tester), Retailer – Service Station – Operation (Chevron), and lastly Public Relations (UCT‘s online division – GetSmarter.co.za).

God brought people in and out of my life, and  few of them are in for life. Without these helpers I would not be the gift I am today.

Looking back I see the incredible power of God’s hand over my life. I have realised that if I had completed the BA I would not have been able to write like I do now. Up until last year I have not before felt the peace, closeness and constant protection and love I do when I get into that quiet place with Jesus. I am complete. What I sometimes liken it to is the feeling of being in the womb (I am guessing); complete, encompassing wholeness, peace and comfort.

I cannot wait to go home. This life is temporary, real life begin after this. But I know I have too much to do. There are too any people that need to feel this way, need to know this wholeness, this is what we are all searching for. Not religion, church, nor people, but that wholeness. If we all have this, we will all be complete, living in love, religion will be nonexistent, churches as they were supposed to be, mankind temples of the Holy Spirit, Jesus here on earth.

This is my philosophy, and this is what I have found. MELANCHOLY, the word I have felt a strange kinsman-ship to over the years. I found out why: with this love comes a deep burden of sorrow, pain of the others emptiness and wondering.

Monique means alone or wise councilor, this too is a wonderous and true introspection. I love to be alone, I love my own company. I spent so many years running, always trying to fill it with people. Yes, I still run, I have not yet arrived. I am a human being, not a godly being, and I will fall, but my peace comes from proof. The evidence is in the past. Each time I have thought there was no where to turn, His way is perfect, His plan is perfect. In little things, in big things. And to be alone with Him is a piece of paradise.

It is amazing to wake up everyday and know that you are walking in victory and you are doing what you love. The excitement is contagious. I write on a daily basis, I cook regularly for my job, just two of things God has given me that I love to do.

She made broken look beautiful, strong look invincible. She walked with the universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings – Ariana Dancu.

Jesus makes beautiful to perfection, invincible to everlasting. He makes my wings unfailing, my soul fly in the clouds – Monique van der Walt

 

 

 

 

 

Sunrise over Sea – Another Fantastic Durban Sunrise

 Yes, another fabulous Durban Sunrise session this  yesterday morning.

Let me clarify about the title of my last post Durban Autumn Sunrise. I know it is not yet autumn in the southern hemisphere, but the crisp chill in the mornings  gives the impression of an early autumn.

THIS SUNRISE SESSION:

In the  hazy confusion of the predawn light, my focus falters, my lens afraid of the dark

All is eerily quiet, the rays seem to be taking an eternity to break the horizon and flood the world with glory.

Finally, the beginning of the end of the hazy, uncertain pre-dawn

The break of a new day, all creation in its glory on display

Silver lining, stalks, its the birth of a new day filled with promise

The Woolly Neck Stalks and the cat are used are also out and about to watch His majesty grace this earth again, simply for us to enjoy

No matter what circumstances occur, there will always be a sunrise.

Something amazing and beautiful always emerges from even the darkest hour

Something first dark, then serene and beautiful, turns into a powerful force

The light of that power now touches everything it encounters

All fear and confusion are conquered, all things working together for good, for beauty and for a new day

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Cleaning out the Tarantula Cage

It has been about 2 years since I last replaced the mulch in Champignon’s cage.

I find my hairyback tarantula to be a creature of habit, and change in environment is more stressful for her than anything else.

A surface clean has been necessary every once in a while though.

Not last weekend, but the weekend before, I drove all over Durban looking for mulch.

A bad start at Ashley Avenue, Durban North, where I found the pet store had closed down.

From there I went to the Crescent Umhlanga – Nature’s Petland. They were out of stock.

Then on to Pinetown Pets – they do not stock mulch at all, as it is not really an exotic pet store.

And finally, up the hill to Creatures and Critters, a fabulous exotic pet store in Bothas Hill. They are massive and have absolutely EVERY kind of exotic pet you can think of, and all the necessities to match.

I gingerly picked her up and placed her in the temporary containment device, praying peace over my precious arachnid. To drop her would be disastrous.

Having cleaned the tank with warm water and Sunlight liquid, I put the new mulch in the sparkling tank.

I placed my Champignon back in her cage.

She took 2 days to get used to the new mulch, climbing the sides of the tank and perching in the tree.

Now, she is happily settled in her new environment.

Having shed/molted  about 6 weeks ago, she matches her clean tank.

 

Durban Beachfront Autumn Sunrise

I am fortunate enough to be blessed almost every morning by witnessing the amazing sunrise created for you and I.

Blessed

The Surf next to the pier at Umgeni River Mouth

Durban’s beautifully engineered, and fairly new, promenade sets the stage for this amazing grace.

From Blue Lagoon (umgenie River Mouth) looking South towards Durban Harbour

Lonely Ship lurks out at sea

The two companies (of which I am aware) involved with phase 1 and phase 2 of the beachfront rehabilitation, namely Fountain Civil Engineering (phase 1) and Vumani Civils (phase 2) have done a fantastic job.

Phase two, Umgeni River Mouth side

The Umgeni River Mouth

Comparing the promenade to photos dating back to 1930, the difference is phenomenal.

South towards Durban City

Shore Sand Dunes

The White Elephant, Moses Mabida Stadium, sits majestically keeping watch over Durban City

Malaga, Malgrove, Malpark Residential flats

Jetski in the surf

The sun peeped out from the horizon, only to disappear again behind the cloud bank

Now you see it

Now you Don’t

Yet another majestic morning from our creator

 

Mt Moreland KZN – Barn Swallows & Legavaan Sighting

The weekend before my Cape Town Christmas trip, my friend and I went up to Mount Moreland, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.

Mount Moreland is about 15 kms from Umhlanga, and is best known for its Barn Swallows.

The public can view this awesome sight of the up to 3 million Barn Swallows descending on their roost.

This initiative is courtesy of Mount Moreland Conservancy

Visitors bring their own chairs, food, drinks, binoculars, and mosquito repellent.

The roosting time is about half an hour before sunset, but we went on the trip for the serenity and quite of the landscape.

A pathway leads from the top of the view point, down towards the marshlands

I begin descending, the only sound the wind whistling and rustling through the cane fields

The path rounds a bend, and a tunnel of foliage leads down to the marsh, igniting the imagination

The sparse clouds provide little relief from the midday sun, I head back up the path.

En route out of Mount Moreland, we crossed a bridge

Stopped to take photos, my friend noticed a Legavaan (or Rock Monitor) in the road behind us in the road

The Legavaan vanished as quickly as he had appeared, scampering back to the safety of the brush.

Further along our route back to Umhlanga, we came across the Dust Pit Tavern.

It is housed in a picturesque building, Cape Dutch style almost.

The Dust Pit Tavern is featured on Red Bubble, courtesy of Rory Wilson.

The road home

Cape Town – Christmas 2013

As I do every year, I went to my hometown for Christmas.

These are a few pics of the places my family and I visited.

En route to Somerset West, on the N2, we passed Cape Town Studios (A rather windy day).

They are currently doing a 16 week shoot for the series Black Sails.

Some of their other recent projects include Max Max: Fury Road and Safe House.

Hospital Bend interchange. Big Lions Head in the distance

Devil’s Peak

The back of Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak from Ottery Road

Kirstenbosch Gardens

Cycad at Kirstenbosch Gardens

Beautiful quiet stream

Peaceful shade and cool of the trees.

A pathway opens the door to all sorts of wonderment as it leads mysteriously through the foliage

Tadpoles thrive in the merry stream, creating hours of fun for kids and adults alike

The rocks of the stream is God’s playground, children climbing, building and frolicking about. Families from all over gather on their picnic blankets in pockets of shade, most likely eating Christmas lunch left-overs, as we did.

That same afternoon, Friday 27 December 2013, the rolling cloud seeped over Table Mountain.

The temperature dropped with the onslaught of the cloud, a welcome relief.

I thought o the families at Kirstenbosch, all breathing a sigh of relief in the shade of the roll cloud

Devil’s Peak stands alone, the majestic shroud passing it by

Typhoon-like storm in Durban, South Africa

Taken from the All Fuels headquarters in Umhlanga Ridge, Durban this afternoon.

The whole day, there has been a strange pressure in the atmosphere, something was brewing.

And, thank you windguru.cz for the early warning system

My colleague drew my attention to the approaching storm at 14:10.

The rain hasnt hit us yet, it is the light cloud that brings the cleansing rain down in sheets

The power of the storm dwarfs the giant companies in the new town centre

We flocked to the windows, and watched in awe as the storm moved towards our office block at an alarming rate.

Local radio station, Gagasi Fm seems small in the magnitude of the onslaught

Notice, the hill in the distance has disappeared

The white cloud is upon us, and the rain begins

Magnificent

The rain is upon us

The rain beats down, a true celestial orchestra

Just reminds me of how small we are

The rain continues to pout for around 50 minutes

And by 15:00, its all over

This taken at 15:55, all is quiet again

About a 20 minutes drive from here, In Stamfordhill Road in Durban, the after effects are severe.