Five years ago Today

Diary Entry 15 November 2006********** Today i sit here on a flight to Paris- Oh My Word. Never in my Wildest dreams did i imagine sitting on a flight to Paris............. I'll probably write again when i'm on the next flight...... On my way to Houston now- Oh my Word - I'm starting to get nervous. I'm sitting next to a gorgeous French man. Pity i didn't get to see Paris.... Next time... About to land, There's turbulence galore....********** From the few inserts of my diary entry you can tell i was rather excited!********** My first trip to America.... 5 years ago Today. I was so excited because i had never been here before, the only other country i had traveled to was London. America was only a dream. Something i saw on TV, in movies, heard of in songs. But not a place i ever thought i'd live. BUT GOD had other plans :) The next few days went by so quickly, Houston was so Huge to me, the roads felt super sized, the buildings, the food, as they say everything is bigger in Texas. Soon i experienced my first Thanksgiving, with the most amazing family, The Houghton's. The Tradition of going around the table and giving thanks was something i fell in love with and hope to implement in my own home one day. Things happened rapidly around me, i got to meet some of my icons in music in the space of one month. It was a time that felt like a dream every day. My mind was blown by how Kind the people were who brought me here, they gave All the time, to me, to others. They still do!!! Soon it was Christmas.... My first Cold Christmas. The hugest tree i had ever seen before. The House looked magnificent. I look back today, and stand in Awe of the incredible story that has been written. People i have met,Friends i have made, places i have seen, dreams come true only because someone gave me a chance! Israel and Meleasa Houghton and their family have given me the Best and today i'm so grateful for family! I have been blessed to see so many countries beyond what i could ever imagine back in Middelburg, Mpumalnga. If we are taught at a young age that opportunities are endless and that there is Nothing that will hold us back. Our Vision and Dreaming become so much bigger. So we are now entrusted with the task of teaching those lessons. Today I'm grateful for parents who pushed me, to be All i could be and still believe in me! I'm grateful for my community "Nasaret" who taught me the fundamentals of Ubuntu & helped want more. I'm thankful for nieces and nephews that i am now empowered to inspire, to push, to encourage to want More! I'm thankful for my Beautiful Country South Africa! I'm so Proud of my heritage! I'm thankful for learning lessons through people! I'm particularly grateful for the journey i had before i came here.... a journey that infused in me the importance of staying true to who i am! I'm grateful that i have maintained my accent for the most Part.... I'm thankful that i could learn about other cultures and view other's struggles and recognize that we are all the same in some way or another. I'm Grateful for an Incredible room mate who i wouldn't trade for anything!! I'm thankful for peace even when things are not perfect. I'm grateful for the Sky, for Long walks. I'm grateful for Football (soccer here) Rugby, biltong, boerewors-pap & gravy, Simba Chips! I miss it.********** Its not Thanksgiving yet.... But today i give Thanks!********** What i love about Americans is their patriotism, which has made me even more patriotic about my country!! And so Looking ahead i'm excited for whatever the next 5 years hold. A journey i have no intention of predicting. A journey i know can only get better! So many more stories to create.... to write... What an amazing life I have been blessed with!!! Today... I Stand in Awe of You God... Thank You