South Africa 2011.... No Place like Home

As a little Girl i always had dreams of traveling around the world, singing, acting and doing what i love... Today i can truly say that dreams become a reality if you believe... 12 September 2011--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have been in Africa since July 11th 2011... This has been my longest visit home in 4 years aside from work. It’s also the first of 4 years that i got to spend my birthday at home in South Africa:) So it has been a significant and amazing time here.... Let me go back a while to when i first got here.... I had to get out of the States because my 3 year work visa had run up and it was renewal time.... (Normal), I had to wait on applying for my extension as we had just been in South Africa few weeks prior for our New Breed Africa Auditions in June, these things happen when you're not a citizen you see:) Now this is a topic i could dwell on for months on end but, i'd rather not.... Another blog another time. Moving right along..... I came home a few weeks earlier than the rest of the team for our scheduled mini Africa tour.... last year we didn't sing in South Africa at all so i was rather excited.... Being Home always feels like you never went away however this time i had to adapt a bit as i've been away for so long, life in the states is slightly different. My own apartment, car, space routine etc... So just slight adjustments:) When i arrived in Johannesburg, the first business at hand was getting my visa for Ghana sorted, #SideBar "There is no embassy for Ghana in Johannesburg or Cape Town... Just a thought for the future, it could work in those cites"... Anyways, i got that sorted and off we went to Ghana:) It was my second visit to the beautiful country. People in Ghana are really kind and beautiful.... I love the colours of their traditional clothing, so regal! We spent 4 days there and had an amazing time. Worship in Ghana is something you have to experience for yourself! Just out of this world amazing!!! We were then off to Bloemfontein for a night of Worship. The people in Bloem Rock! The Concert was broadcast to all their churches across the country so it was as if we were live in 8 different places around South Africa. Next we had week’s break where my friend got to hang with my family a bit. She was so intrigued with the whole tea drinking culture that she decided that she would implement drinking tea as a part of her American routine ☺ It’s the little things I tell you. Nothing like time with my nephews:)

We then did Pretoria. What a great night, but it was Cape Town That stood out for me and I’ll tell you why. Everyone knows Hillsong right?? Okay if you don’t, this might help you http://www.hillsong.com/ . They started a church in Cape Town and due to their vast growth they needed to move from the convention centre to a venue that could accommodate more people. Cool thing about it was, they actually Bought the largest club in South Africa. It used to be called Dockside. Crazy thing is back when I travelled with Afro Z, Dockside was one of the clubs we performed in. So to come back now and Honor God in that same spot was so great!! See in my opinion, church is Not about the building you get together in, it is Not about the denomination or stamp that you carry, it is NOT about the Pastor who leads the congregation… Noooooooo, WE ARE THE CHURCH wherever we go. So meeting in that club was probably the Best thing that could ever happen!!!! The problem is as Christians we forget that we are the bricks that make up the building but we get so caught up with activities and religion that we sometimes forget that WE ARE THE CHURCH WHEREVER WE ARE.... I’m thankful that Hillsong CPT bought that club so I could remember what my purpose here is. After Cape Town we were off to Durban then Johannesburg my home city. To say i was excited is an understatement:) The first concert we did in Johannesburg was at Rivers in Sandton. My eldest brother came to see us for the first time. It made my heart so happy! Then we had an Blessed time at Carnival City the next night... what way to end our tour! When the team left back to the states i had the pleasure of catching up with most of my close friends, not all of them.... but it was so fulfilling!! On a sadder note, we lost our cousin, Rest in Peace Jeff and although funerals are sad it was bitter sweet as i was able to see family that i haven't seen in years. All the children are so grown and our family just keeps getting bigger.... Shout out to the Browns, Du Plessis', Scotts and all my other family... i'm such a blessed girl!!! Cousins:)

Over the next week or so, I was blessed to attend a taping for idols SA live and saw Loyiso perform with the idols. Then i was introduced to the work of GreerKyle, who i've known for years and never knew how Great her work is... Check her out she's a young South African designer with some of the greatest designs i've ever seen and remember the name GreerKyle!!! My family had a huge birthday lunch for me a week prior to my birthday. I tell you there is nothing like family.... I also got to see some of my Afro Z family on this trip:) we're all grown up, gosh time just goes by so quickly!

Which brings me back to the top of this blog, my birthday at home. On the eve of my birthday i was spoilt to a spa day by my good friend Lee. We were given the Cleopatra treatment at the Pyramid Spa.... AMAZING! I recommend them to anyone searching for an amazing get away! http://www.pyramiddayspa.co.za/ Patrick and the entire team there are simply fabulous! I then went off to a rehearsal at the SABC later that day as i was performing with Chante' Moore on my Birthday.... She was in the country and i got an opportunity to sing with her.... So thats how i spent my special day, doing the thing i love the most, in the Country i love the most..... Surrounded by amazing people... What more can a girl ask for.... We Also sang with her on SA idol and then travelled to Tanzania with her for a concert in Dar Es Salaam. Great times!

Before i left SA i was blessed to attend Joburg day, saw some of my favorite artists on stage, i got to chat to some worshippers at a workshop and got to spend time with Some of our Future New Breed Africa Team.... As well as work on some of my own music for which i'm truly excited....

My time home was a great success. I was forced to look at myself again. See where i've changed for the good and bad. Saw where i needed to make adjustments within myself to not ever lose the Essence of who i am as a Proudly South African Woman. I got my accent back, although i've purposed not to lose it during my stay in America. Being away from your "comfort zone" and environment of normality forces you to truly see you... stripped. When that happens, change is always a good thing! I am still learning So much about myself on this beautiful Journey called life and i'm excited for All that lies ahead. I look ahead with Hope:)