Not too long ago, I was challenged to write some facts about myself you may not know by the amazing Olivia Lucie Blake. Check out her post here. I love reading posts that show the person behind the blog because we aren’t robots, we’re people. There isn’t anything more interesting than getting to know someone and hearing their story. So here is a bit of mine.
I have lived in 4 countries on 2 different continents
As some of you already know, I was born and grew up in Zimbabwe. Despite popular thought, Zimbabwe is not part of South Africa. It’s actually it’s own country. I was born in the early 90s and spent my whole childhood and teenage life in Zim. After I left school, I was ready for a change and needed somewhere a little more stable. So like many late teens, I went to Uni. This was my first country move. I moved down to Cape Town, South Africa.
Interestingly, Cape Town is not the best place to live. It is honestly one of the most beautiful places to visit but living there is very different. The native Cape Tonians can be a little unwelcoming (and of course I am speaking generally, there are some wonderful natives in Cape Town, don’t get me wrong). Most of the people I spent my time with were from other parts of South Africa. I spent 3 years in Cape Town and then moved back home after finishing my studies.
Now comes move number 2. I knew I couldn’t stay in Zim because there was nothing for me there. Therefore, I made the brave decision to move across the world. UK here I came. It was my sole intention of living in London, until I arrived. Boy, did the big city terrified me. So I went up to Scotland to live my aunt and try and settle into a new culture, thinking it would make it easier. Wow I was so wrong!!! Probably the worst 5 months of my life. Scotland is very much not for me. Between the grey and cold and the family issues, I couldn’t get out quicker. So I moved down into the south of England and that is where I have been for over 6 years now.
Many of you may think Scotland and England are technically both part of the UK, therefore it would fall under 1 country. However, I see them as different countries because of how unbelievably different the people are.
I became fully qualified before turning 20
Did you know that I am actually a Royal Academy of Dance fully qualified Ballet teacher?? I left school at 17 and went straight into studies and graduated with high marks as a Ballet teacher before I had even turned 20 years old. It is one of my proudest achievements. I don’t teach or dance any longer and that’s a story for another day but I can still be proud to say I have that achievement.
I received the highest mark in the whole school from a world renowned dance choreographer
Another one of my proudest achievements was in my final year of uni I received the highest mark in the school for my choreographic project from world renowned dance choreographer Christopher Huggins. This had a double special meaning because the head of the dance school really hated me and wanted to push me out. She also had the utmost respect for Christopher Huggins and basically worshipped the ground he walked on. By receiving the highest mark from him, it showed her that I wasn’t the worthless student she believed me to be. That is something I will hold onto forever.
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I have played a musical instrument
Coming from a musical background, it was sort of a given I would play an instrument. Having tried a few different options I settled on the flute. I started at the age of 12 and played right through high school, in the orchestra and competitions. I have even taught a bit of beginner flute just before I left to come to the UK. The flute is a beautiful, lyrical instrument that often appears in ballet music. Makes sense why I gravitated to it doesn’t it? I played the flute all the way up to a Grade 7 Royal Academy of Music level and have to say it had it’s moments of real joy, even though I hated practicing.
I am a massive cat person
Cats are by far my most favourite animal. Having grown up with kitties in our family for the majority of my life, I have become a huge kitty person. I absolutely love them. Yes, I know they can be little bastards but when I look at them, all is forgiven because I melt inside. The last 2 cats I had before I left Zimbabwe, were brother and sister and they were my children. Honestly, I spoilt them rotten. Don’t get me wrong, I love dogs as well but if I am only able to have 1, it will always be a cat.
I hope you have enjoyed getting to know me a little better. Please leave some facts about yourself in the comments as I would love to know more about you 🙂
Until next time…
My nominations to write a post, giving 4 facts about yourself we may not know are:
love love love this post & i’m so glad Olivia created this challenge. I enjoyed getting to know you better. You are so worldly and that’s so cool you dance! a woman with so many talents. cheers to that!!
Super cool post! I love these types of posts so I get a better idea of the person behind the blog. Congratulations on all your dance achievements, and congratulations for being brave enough to literally move to the whole other side of the world! I’m a cat person too. And yes, they ARE bastards.