Fire in Your Eyes

When I started studying nature conservation never did I think I would be fighting fires, but three years later and it is one of the hot parts of my job ;) 

I attended my first Ecological burn which took place in the week. It was so exciting and scary at the same time. At 06:00 I got to the Reserve where the prescribed burn was to take place,  at 06:30 all the teams were briefed on the procedures and plans for the day and by 07:30 all the teams were positioned at their respective Sectors and the fire was started pass 08:00.

Morning briefing

Now to understand why we had the burn take place, you have to understand the fire regime of the vegetation type we have here in the Western Cape which is Fynbos. Fynbos has to have a fire spread across it, either controlled or wild, depending on what intensity it needs for the seeds to be germinated. So it is quite complex, however in fynbos there is Renosterveld which also needs to be burnt ever few years in order for new species to grow and to give the seeds collected space to germinate and grow in. 

I did not know what to expect, I did not know what was expected of me. I was nervous but so excited and I got to share it with all the other students that were there as well. I was placed in a team, with four guys, Rob, Daniel, Ismail and Masande, which I worked really well with. 

Daniel and myself 

Daniel leaving the vegetation once the fire came to our side

Our role was to watch over the fire and make sure that it stayed under control and that nothing goes wrong. We also wet the fences and the edge of the vegetation so once the fire gets to it it will run out of good enough fuel and will then die out. We waited for all the sections to burn and we were mainly in charge of controlling and putting the fire out once it got to our section of the vegetation.

The Vegetation after the fire

I must say, the intensity of that fire was so hot. When I had the hose and was spraying it into the flames, the heat of the fire was so hot and not something I have ever experienced. I learnt so much at that burn, and I enjoyed it a lot. The fires were ended at 14:00 however there was still flare ups and because of the uncertainty of whether a fire would start up again, there was people monitoring the after effects the entire evening and they had teams in place for everyday up until today positioned at the Reserve. Working on a fire is hard work, but with team effort and great spirit the benefits we get is well worth it :) but that goes for everything else as well.. 

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it

Xx Bubblesharkgirl

"To forgive does not mean that you condone, agree with, or give your approval to anyone or anything. Rather, it is a powerful acknowledgement to yourself that I am willing to let this go. I am willing to move forward in my life." ~ Raymond David Salas

New things

After an eventful last week, everyday seems to be getting better and better..

Last week I completed a Wetlands week display with the help of the other student (Megan) at my reserve, we went to the local library and put the display in their foyer. I saw a bird of prey on my way back to work, and went to collect my pass for the J&B Met which was happening the Saturday.. For that entire week I tried not to get too excited because I was going to attend the Met, but I just could not help it. I then also went to help out at Tablebay Nature Reserve on a reptile survey where we went to several boards that were placed around the reserve to see what reptiles we could find. It however was unsuccessful as we found no reptiles but that could be because these surveys need to be done in Spring time, which is September and October here, when the reptiles are most active.

The Met Pass and the Torti

Saturday, the 30th of January I help set up a display on the racecourse to create awareness about the conservation area that is situated in the middle of the racecourse, we had live snakes, a tortoise, insect collections, a grysbok that was taxidermy and fynbos plants. It was loads of fun spending the day with my friends and educating people about the reserve, but the Highlight of my day was definitely the HORSES. Oh my word, they are just so Majestic.

Julia showing a visitor the snakes

Fynbos display and Tortoise enclosure

Horses, wow. If I can explain how animals and the beauty of what nature makes me feel I would not be able to describe that in words. A goal I have is to do horse riding with my sister.

Race #6

Oh what beauties 

After the race

I also did patrols along the fence of the reserve to ensure people weren't littering, entering the reserve or damaging any property of the reserve. It was really cool seeing how eccentric the people dressed up to the event. 

The 31st of January I did my monthly volunteer shift at the Two Oceans Aquarium, attended a 5th birthday party and then watched The Heart of the Sea. All these years, me, miss nature conservationist did not know that whaling was not only to kill the whales for the meat but also to get the oil from them, neither did I know the story of Moby Dick..

I like this, I love learning new things because you never too old too learn.. :)

Thank you and check in for more posts! 

Xx Bubblesharkgirl 

"When something bad happens you have three choices.. You can let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you."

Back In Action

2016 Feels like its going to be such a great, wonderful and productive year.

It is the year I hope to start new adventures, grow and finish my qualification.

Hello :) Everyone

I haven't blogged in over three years, I stopped for a personal reason but I have decided that I will start this chapter over.. In that three years I completed three years of my studies in Nature Conservation, got my licence, became a volunteer at the Two Oceans Aquarium, did a First Aid Level One Course, had Fire Training and had so many other adventures. This is hopefully the last year to my studies and I will be completing it by working in the field I am studying towards.

I hope you enjoy what I write and please do comment if there is anything I can change or you would like to know. I will mainly just write about the small experiences I have recently done, the rest will follow..

I started working officially on the 25th of January, which was yesterday and already it was productive. I did clearing of alien vegetation on the reserve that was removed last year. I also transported a Mountain Tortoise, with the Ranger that works with me, to a organisation that can provide it with a home and I did pesticide control, asset management and supervised a venue booking for the day.

It's small firsts for now, but the big ones are still to come :D .. 

Thank you and check in for more posts! 

Xx Bubblesharkgirl 

"We can't be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea. Holding onto something that is good for you now, may be the very reason why you don't have something better."

Back Again

Haven't been posting anything on you for a very long time. I will try to make time everyday to dedicate to posting however short or long it may be.

Have sweet dreams :) and tomorrow I will tell you all about my holiday 

So My life was put on hold for a long time.. I couldn't blog because of this stoopid Google that changed everything.. but now it looks like I'm going to be back .. I had so many posts to still finish and I will still do it just not right now.. for now I want to post a Poem my very close friend wrote..

The Shade- MIO

She could never escape it
No matter how hard she tried
She could see the dawn of the rise of opportunities
Of freedom, love and pride

She yearned to run
Toward the horizon of her dreams
To abandon the obstacle above who steals her sun
That possibility is an impossibility it seems

Lions of industry lay among her
Enjoying the shield above-her enemy
But they have the choice to walk away
If only she could too-she would find her remedy

"Strange", she thinks, that something so detrimental to her
Bares such artificial fruits
Why, O why has her fate forsaken her?
That all she can bare are roots?

Roots that keep her
From capturing her destiny
To live in this shade
Of devilish artistry

It is a fact that this shade
Is nothing but gloom and doom
She is just a bewitched flower
Seeking the spirited rays of the sun
In order to bloom


By Mohamed Ismail Osman 


I hope you like it cos I do :)
Enjoy your weekend peeps ..

Sickness

So I haven't posted again yet because I was busy and also sick :( .. As soon as I get more time and I recover I will post again.. Thanks for the Visit Naiem :), its always good to visit the sick .. Until then

Sweet dreams :)
P.s I miss My Love

Ghatum

>.. Listening to Piya O Re Piya ..<

Thursday.. 12th april .. There was a Prayer thing at the wedding house..
So I went.. Everybody looked very nice :).. I didn't take pictures of this day because I didn't think it was needed.. There is nothing much to tell except my Bloody Aunty made meee soo mad I wanted to and still Want to KILL HER!!!! But be calm and Ignore .. and Thats what I did everynight I saw her and as much as possible..

Have nothing else to say ..
write tomorrow :)
P.s Love you peeps lots :)

BabySitting

>.. Listening to

So wednesday 11th april Was the day they were supposed to take the brides clothes over to her new house, but instead they didn't because of Badluck, thought that anything can happen :| .. soo they had this other thing happening, the name is a weird Indian thing, where they smear the bride with oils and stuff :? .. I did not go :) .. I was otherwise engaged with two cute little angels, naughty, but cute.. It was my neighbour's birthday so he's wife took him out and I was asked to come over to babysitt the two boys..

ceasar and sabian

So 7pm I went over.. I went inside, start talking to their mother, Shelley and in comes Jason with a dog in his hand -------------------------------->>>>>>>>>>>>

Yes That is the dog he walked in with.. I am terrified of dogs :(.. They had two huskys when they just moved in 11years ago but the one died and the other ran away just after the first child was born.. So they decided it was about time they got a new dog..

After he walks in I just look at him, then at the dog.. I didn't know they had a Dog!! and a Scary black one .. Soo this how the dialogue goes between us about this creature..

Me: " I didnt know you had a dog:? "
Jason: "It's a puppy"
Me: "Am I suppose to babysitt it too?"
Jason: He sees my facial expressions "Don't You like dogs?, He is just in our room the whole time and if he gets up he will just walk to the bathroom and back, he won't bother you"
Me: "I didn't know you had a dog :|, I don't like dogs.. Im scared of them."
Shelley: "but he's just a puppy"
Me: "When did you get it? I don't think I can let it just walk around me."
Jason: "Two weeks ago, he is soo cute and he won't bother you."
Shelley: "You then Loved Lex and Krypto(their huskys)"
Me: "Thats because they were huskys"
Jason: "okay I will put him at the back and fetch him when we get back"
Me: "But is he ganna be okay their??" me all concerned lol
Shelley: "I never knew you didn't like dogs"
Me: "I never did, and Cats.. I'm scared of them, yes they are cute but I don't like them."
Jason: "Okay i'll put him at the back, don't worry.."

Me feeling suuper bad for the small little doggie..

they had to leave, they told me what to do..

The night went well.. they just wanted to watch cars.. okay soo that went easy except they kept running from the tv room to their moms room .. then they were looking for ceasar(the puppy)
, not sure what kind of a dog that is.. We went outside to try to find it but it was dark and the puppy was black:|, noo hope lol.. Viggo was suuuper hyper, he's mom said it was because she gave him a piece of chocolate cake..
Time for bed at 9pm..
I had to wash their faces and feet. Viggo was easy, Sabian not soo much .. he liked playing with his hands in the water.. The moment I put his feet in he started crying.. I put them in bed and off to sleep they went.. I went on fb and watched tv untill they came home..

Then I went home, Got in bed and took the house phone and phoned Remeez till my family came home from the wedding house @ 12 .. I hate being alone at home during the night.. scares mee ..

P.s Almost thee best night ever lol

BirthDay

So my Birthday, the 10th of April, Tuesday. Day 2 of the wedding week..

found on google, looked similar to mine

I went with my sister to campus, then met up with muniba and spent the rest of the day with her and Remeez ;) .. well kind of lol .. Then I came home and I invited my moms brother with his wife, children and moms sister to come have some brownies with ice cream. I also told Afroz, Remeez and Khalida to join us. The evening turned into a total disaster.. true story.. Sis made pavlova. That was delicious and so was the brownies I made. Meanwhile at the wedding house all my cousins went there especially because they thought they were going to see me, instead I didn't go which now I realise I should've gone :( .. anyway Pics will be posted soon linked to this post gotta wait for brother to give them to mee ..

snake ring

people

shark tooth

Remeez bought me the ring and the chain :) ..

Wedding Madness Week

>.. Listening to Indian songs ..<
Starting from last week monday thats how I will post.. On mOnday the 9th of april. It was my Mothers birthday aswell as my really awesome friend Mohamed Ismail Osman.. It was the start of a very busy week ahead at the wedding house..
I went with my mom to rylands that day, Remeez and Naved came to drop instrumentals for my cousin.. a whole Big issue was made by my other cousin because of that.. I then went to Muniba and spent thee entire day there. We went to hire two movies, Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, which turned out to be a brilliant movie, and HouseFull(an Indian One) which turned out to be really dumb! But we ended up having to leave it half way through because...
Later the Night WE were summoned for, We have no Clue what, to the wedding house for supper.. We get there and there is basically no food left.. In the end we ended up being upset with everybody for making us leave for nothing.. We went back to Muniba's house and continued watching the rest of our movie. My dad then came to fetch me and that was the end of that day :)

I definitely need this pair of shoes..

Christian Louboutin

The wedding is over.. and everybody is soo tired .. It went suuuper awesome and perfect..

Will start posting and keeping you up to date from tomorrow onwards :)

Mendhi ..

.. Jumuah Mubarak and A happy Weekend to everyone :)
I never made Lunch today because we will be going to my cousin's house to eat there. Today is her mendhi, I don't like that stuff, it's Disgusting. I won't wear that on my wedding day :| .. Seeing that I didn't make lunch I went on google and searched Dress up games.. First I played these weird ones with horrible graphics.. but eventually I found this awesome one and I fell inlove with it..

This is one of the Girls I made.. It's more of a Makeover kinda Game .. I did Every single detail :)

This weekend I'll be taking photo's of the days events and then I'll Upload some for you :) after the Wedding is over .. I can't wait :D ..

I'll be wearing a Sari.. It's going to be my first time.. I hope I look right in it.

Anyway..

I've got to get done now, to go through to the wedding house :)

I'll update you soon

Xxx

What to Do ??

Sooo I have all These posts I want to upload .. but the problem is that all the pictures for the posts are all on either my Fathers phone or my sister's.. and the thing is, We can't seem to find the cable anywhere :? .. Soo now all I have to do is write posts that are Google related lol but thats the hard part.. So Tonight there's a ghatum at my cousins house.. Lastnight I went babysitting.. and the Day before that It was my birthday :) .. I don't want to go tonight but whatever .. To get me through my dull day I'll be eating

I'll be back :)

Happy Easter :)

HapPy Easter GUys :) and Jumuah Mubarak :) .. Enjoy the Long weekend
       Ooh see what I found :) a Sexi pair of heels to wear for the weekend lol

I was Suppose To go On our Family's easter camp that happens every year but unfortunately my mother gave birth to some evil creatures before me that decided my plan for the weekend be changed.. So to everybody going away :) esp My friend;), You know who you are.. Drive safely and enjoy the time off :)..

.. My birthday is coming up after the long weekend, soo anybody feel free to visit.. I'll be making these :)

NB!! Chocolate makes the world a better place :)

Gotta go cook now :( Ciao

What I want my wedding day to be

>.. Listening to Adele, Lovesong ..<

So I was thinking about this post and whether I should do it or not.. and So I decided I'm going post it and say what I want on my wedding day.. It's not much, because I'm not someone that likes a fuss about things :| ..


So lets Start at the wedding dress.. I want a White dress or a Pink one and then I want the bead work and lace to be in black :) .. I've always wanted it but My mom says my gran would never allow that so i would have to cut the black out..

For my ring.. a 3 or 5 carat is my dream size diamond and the only time I'll get one of those is in my dream lol

Such a Beauty :)

But then ofcourse thats not what I want.. and neither is it the right design..

:}

I lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvve rings and the bigger the diamond the better :))))))
My Wedddddddding cupcakes :) and cake :P and sweet pleasures ..

..

I won't be having a wedding reception so I don't know what the hall would look like .. I don't want to walk down the aisle, it's not my thing.. I don't like attention so all I'll be having is a Nikah :) ..

But iF I do, On a ship, On the sea :)

Oh and I'll be saving my guy loads of money ;) hehe

My guys suit :D By Roberto Cavalli

Either The black exactly the way it is or the blue one but just the colours are changed to Black and Blue :)

I'm soo mixed up in what I like and Want..

My Shoes or sandals ..

I would like this just in a different colour..

and Theeee last Thing but the best ever

My wedding car and The car I will own oneday Inshallah :)

:) Excitedness lol and I must still get a guy to propose to me lol .. I Wish It could be him hehe ..

This is all but a dream.. I must wait to be amazed and shown something different thats meant for me :)
..
P.s This made me tired.. I'm off to sleep now.. Sweetdreams

Shoes :D

>.. Listening to an indian song :? ..<
                     
 SHOES!!!! gets you all excited when you see a beautiful pair of them and then a little bit sad because you know you never ganna get them but whatever.. These are the type of shoes I would wear.. I like peep toe shoes and pumps.. So yes my birthday is coming up please feel free to buy me a pair.. lol (^^,)
Christian Louboutin .. a well known shoe designer has awesome shoes.. You can spot a pair of his by the red under sole.. but you do get the al fake o's lol
Platform shoes or sandals are not really my sytle but if the platform is reasonable I'll wear them and the shoe has to look good.. ref. to pics .. My cousins wedding is coming up, I dunno what I'm going to wear and it's a week away..

Christian Louboutin

A louboutin!!! Beautiful. I would wear this

Louboutins

They are soooooper sexy :P

I love these boots

louboutins

I love these ones .. it's hot!

I like these colours together :)

Some of these tan shoes are nice to wear .. they are an everyday look. Simple and pretty

I need to seriously get me these!!!

I Just love these!!!

Don't you just love shoes :)
P.s I have to go but My next blog will be about how I want my wedding to look like :D.. I just had the Idea now :)
Have a great DAy peeps:)