A LOT has happened this year, but I will name all of what happened...I will try and keep this blog post shorter than the previous "Year" blogs that I have done.
This year has been a weird and also a sad year because we had to say goodbye to good people.
This year...was a year were we had - and still have - a pandemic. It is due to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus.)
I am sure you all know how the virus was created, and how the virus is spread.
There are precautions that we need to take while we are still in this pandemic. They are:
Social distance.
Sanitize our hands.
Wear a mask.
Stay home as much as possible.
We need to practice these precautions because it can help reduce the spread of the virus.
This year we had to go under lockdown, which meant we needed to stay home as much as possible, and it would help reduce the spread of the virus. Under lockdown, we were not allowed to go out of our homes unless it was for essential items or if we needed to visit the doctor.
I will add that this year has opened a lot of people's eyes to the world around us. There are a lot of events that we are aware of now than before, and what I have found this year...is truly frightening. I won't go into detail about it, but I will say this: There was something I wanted to do, and what I found out about it...is scary.
One a positive note, I spent more time with my family members and cherished the moments I had with them.
This year had many deaths, and most were due to Covid-19. My heart goes out to all those who have lost their loved ones and their friends. Losing someone is not a nice thing to feel.
Here are a few good people we had to say goodbye to this year:
Chadwick Boseman; Ruth Bader Ginsburg; John Lewis; Regis Philbin; Sean Connery; Kobe Bryant; Diana Rigg; Naya Rivera; Stevie Lee; Kelly Preston; Mary Pat Gleason; Ian Holm; Fred Willard; Irrfan Khan; David Prowse; Alex Trebek and many more.
A few years ago, we had quite a few deaths, but this year...we had way more and I am deeply disheartened by that.
My condolences to all who lost a loved one.
Starbucks made its way to South Africa. Granted there was a Starbucks in Johannesburg, but it has a few stores open in Cape Town now - and I absolutely love it!
A lot of movies that were planned to be released this year had to be postponed until next year, or later in this year. Some movies also moved to VOD (Video on Demand).
A few movies which were released this year were:
After We Collided; Underwater; 365 Days; Emma; The Grudge; Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey; Dolittle; Tenet; I Still Believe; Like A Boss; The Gentlemen; Sonic the Hedgehog; Wonder Woman 1984; The Invisible Man; Onward plus more.
This year, people mainly turned to watching shows on TV, or getting a streaming service so we can watch TV shows in the comfort of our own homes.
There were new shows that aired this year, and some shows were cancelled or renewed this year.
As for music, some albums from music artists were planned to be released this year, but unfortunately, the released had to be postponed.
I will say that there were new songs from music artists that were released this year.
Here are a few new songs released this year:
First up is Evanescence - My absolute favourite band ever!
They have released 4 brand new songs from their upcoming album "The Bitter Truth", which will be released next year in March.
Here is one of my personal favorites from the 4 new songs:
I have taken a course for: HOME EDUCATION DIPLOMA.
It was a course from Centre of Excellence, and I am so happy that I have completes the course this year.
This year, I am also thankful for every single person who has and still supporting me, and I thank each and everyone of you. I also thank those who read my blogs whenever I publish them. I do appreciate it.
I also have a better understanding with regard to what exercises I should be focusing on, and avoiding the exercises that will 'bulk up' my body as I wish to have a lean and toned body.
There were a few things I was going to do this year, but unfortunately I had to put them on hold.
This year I gained new friendships, but I also lost friendships, but you know what? Maybe it was a sign that it wasn't meant to be.
This year...even though I am a Christian, I wanted to connect more with my religion, and it is growing stronger everyday.
2020...has been a weird year for us all. A LOT has happened this year...
From Covid-19, to having weird dreams, to the stories we have heard in the news...
Let us hope that next year, in 2021, that it will bring us hope and joy and not more negative news.
Hello to everyone from around the world! We are at the end
of 2015, and my goodness! What a year it has been for everyone! There were of
cause happy times, as well as sad times and also those frustrating times, but
that is what makes it such a good year!
Now to get on with business, here are some highlights of
what happened during 2015 (some highlights are grouped to show what happened at
that time of the year):
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to these outstanding
and talented people: Scott Weiland, Kevin Corcoran, Christopher Lee and Lemmy.
Frozen Fever released this year which premiered before the
movie Cinderella.
StarBucks brought out a new flavour for the season fall
called Toasted Graham Latte for the first time in years.
Zayn Malik left One Direction and One Direction announced
they are taking an extended hiatus which will start in March 2016 and will last
for about 2 years.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium rehabilitated over 100 animals
this year.
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted the Golden Globe Awards for
the final time this year.
US Supreme Court ruled gay marriage is legal in all 50
states of the USA.
SeaWorld CEO announces plan to end orca controversial shows
at the San Diego park by 2017, after the protests that began after the release
of the documentary Blackfish.
As of January 2016, ABC Family will be renamed to Freeform.
In June 2015, it was announced that there would be a
two-part play titled “Harry Potter and
the Cursed Child”, and the play would premiere in the summer of 2016 at
London’s Palace Theatre. J.K. Rowling stated though, that this play would not
be a prequel. In October 2015, it was confirmed the play would be set 19 years
after the conclusion of the 7th novel “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”. The actors who would play
the main characters are the following: Jamie Paker plays Harry Potter; Noma
Dumezweni plays Hermione Granger and Paul Thornley plays Ron Weasley.
The US is upgrading the legal status of lions that stop the
hunters from transporting any lion body parts back home after the hunter’s
safari trips.
Cecil the lion was sadly shot by a Walter Palmer, who is an American big-game hunter.
On November 13th 2015, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks occurred in Paris. There were 3 suicide bombers who struck near the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, which followed by suicide bombings and mass shooting at cafรจs, restaurants and a concert hall.
Walt Disney World:
Downtown Disney was renamed to Disney Springs.
A new bakery named Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC opened in
Disney Springs. This bakery serves foods that are gluten free and vegan.
Walt Disney World has installed new metal detectors due to the Department of Homeland Security identified "public events or places" as potential terrorist targets in a National Terrosim Advisory System bulletin.
D23 Expo 2015:
The D23 Expo announced that Walt Disney World plans for an
11-acre Toy Story land which will include 2 new attractions and 1 expanded
favourite in the adventurous outdoors of Andy’s backyard at the theme park
Hollywood Studios.
Bob Iger announced that a brand new 14-acre land themed Star
Wars will be added to Disneyland, as well as Walt Disney World’s Hollywood
Studios.
Director Jon Favreau introduced a few of the confirmed
actors for Disney’s future film, The Jungle Book, which will premier in April
2016. The actors are: Ben Kingley, Lupita Nyong’o, and 11-year-old Neel Sethi.
Jon Favreau also introduced some footage from the film, which includes Baloo
the bear (who is voiced by Bill Murray).
It was announced that an upcoming night-time show titled
“Rivers of Light” will be held in Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. Another
expansion plan will be Pandora – The World of Avatar and a nocturnal version of
Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Toy Story 4 was announced and will be aimed to be released
in June 2017.
It was announced that a new animated movie titled Zootopia
will be released in March 2016. A clip from the film was also shown at D23
Expo.
Star Wars:
Star Wars: The Force Awakens came out 10 years after the
release of the franchise’s last major instalment. The movie reached $1 billion
12 days after the global release, which was one day earlier than the previous
record holder – Jurassic World. The movie has made $544.5 million in the US. 10
Days after the movie release, it became the 4th highest-grossing
film for 2015, and also the 9th highest-grossing film of all time.
The movie has broken many box office records which include the highest –
grossing worldwide opening of all time, and the fastest film to reach $1 billion.
There were also numerous movies which were released during
the course of this year. Here are some of the movies that were released this
year, and some of these movies were also nominated for awards: Minions;
Ant-Man; Inside Out; Avengers: Age of Ultron; Star Wars: The Force Awakens;
Jurassic World; Furious 7; The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay: Part 2; The Good
Dinosaur; Pan; Spectre; The Boy Next Door; Shaun the Sheep movie; Jupiter
Ascending; The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water; Mr. Holmes; Insurgent; Fifty
Shades of Grey; Cinderella; The Duff; Pitch Perfect 2; Hot Pursuit; Mad Max:
Fury Road; Tomorrowland; Spy; The Man from U.N.C.L.E; San Andreas; Entourage; Ted
2; Magic Mike XXL; Max; Smosh: The Movie; Pixels; Paper Towns; Mission
Impossible – Rogue Nation; Vacation; Fantastic Four; Steve Jobs; Legend; The
Martian; The Intern; Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials; Hotel Transylvania 2; Goosebumps;
The Peanuts Movie; In the Heart of the Sea; Sisters; Brooklyn; Trainwreck;
Victor Frankenstein; Home; The Age of Adaline and The Little Prince, and the
list goes on and on...and on. All of these movies were fantastic to watch. There were
laughter, some tears and most of all...happiness in these movies. It is amazing
how one movie could have so many emotions in the story.
The Disney movie Cinderella premiered in theatres in March
2015. The film grossed $542 million worldwide, and became Branagh’s highest
grossing film.
The Jurassic World film had a grossing of $500 million
worldwide and had a record breaking opening weekend. The film also generated
$1.6 billion in box office revenue, and is the 3rd highest-grossing
film of all time, and the film is the highest-grossing film for 2015.
The movie Goosebumps grossed $78.6 million in North America
as of 20th December, and the movie received generally positive
reviews from critics. The movie also grossed over $119 million on a $58 million
budget.
Movies released in 2015.
A good couple of music albums were released during the
course of this year. The artists name will be written, along with the title of
their albums that were released this year. Here are the following albums:
Butcher Babies – Take It Like A Man; Papa Roach – F.E.A.R. (Fear Everything and
Rise); Imagine Dragons – Smoke + Mirrors; All That Remains – The Order of
Things; Kelly Clarkson – Piece by Piece; Nightwish – Endless Forms Most
Beautiful; Halestorm – Into the Wild Life; KAMELOT – Haven; Hilary Duff –
Breathe In. Breathe Out; Breaking Benjamin – Dark Before Dawn; Bullet for My
Valentine – Venom; Miley Cyrus – Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz; New Years Day - Malevolence; Demi Lovato –
Confident; The Agonist - Eye of Providence; 5 Seconds of Summer – Sounds Good Feels Good; Carrie Underwood –
Storyteller; David Garrett – Explosive; Ellie Goulding – Delirium; Adele – 25
and Ariana Grande – Christmas & Chill and many more albums released this
year.
All these music artists I mentioned are all super talented
and their music is amazing to listen to. These artists are highly recommended
as their voices are really talented. Most of these music artists mentioned
above are songwriters as well, and they have written such emotional songs that
make you either happy or make you feel that sad emotion. Their music is also
very powerful.
Music albums released in 2015.
The Butcher Babies band released their new album “Take It
Like A Man” in August this year. The band has currently released 2 music videos
so far, and they are “Monsters Ball” and “Igniter”. The band has also released
an official album stream which consists of each song from their new album.
Bullet for My Valentine released their 5th studio
album “Venom” this year. This was the first album by the band since the
departure of bassist player Jason James, which was announced in February 2015.
It was announced in May 2015, that Jamie Mathias would be replaced as the new
bassist player. The band has released 3 singles which are “No Way Out”, “You
Want a Battle? (Here’s a War)” and “Army of Noise”. There have also been 2
music videos off the new album titled “You Want a Battle? (Here’s a War)” and
“Venom”.
You can view their music videos here:
You
Want a Battle? (Here’s a War):
Venom:
The German pop and crossover violinist David Garret released
his new album this year, which is titled “Explosive”. Some the songs on this
album were written by David Garrett himself, such as “Adventure Island”,
“Explosive” and “Serenity” feat. Nicole Scherzinger. The song titled “Adventure
Island” was inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean music, and the song titled
“Serenity” was inspired by Disney music. There has also been a music video for
“Explosive”.
You can view the music video here:
Explosive:
On a more personal note:
This year, for me, has definitely been a great year. I do,
of cause, miss going to Walt Disney World like I did last year, but I know I
will definitely go again soon. I think the one issue most people need to do is
save money. Saving money may not look good now, but in the long run when you do
save money, it will help you so much. Also look at it this way, in the long run,
you would have so much money saved and you can spend it on anything you want,
even if you fill a Coco-Cola tin with R2. You’ll still have that much money for
yourself.
I also met quite a few celebrities this year. Most of the
celebrities I met were at KDay (a music festival which is held in the summer,
and is hosted by the radio show KFM). At KDay, I did get to see celebrities I
have met time and time again, such as the KFM radio hosts, but I unfortunately
did not get to see all of the radio hosts this year at KDay. I know I did not
write about KDay this year, but I will explain to you exactly why I did not
write a blog about KDay, and what I am about to write will be a balance between
positive and negative insight: KDay, this year, was held at Newlands Rugby
Field. KDay, as usual, is always a fantastic music festival where you do get
the opportunity to meet the music artists who perform on this day, but only
after their live performances. The radio hosts where walking around the field,
so if you bumped into them, you could possibly have your photo taken with them.
The location for KDay this year wasn’t so bad, but I would say the field was
much smaller than the other venues where KDay was located. The location where
you went to meet the music artists was at the Musica stand, and when the music
artists came out to meet their fans, they only had 10 – 15 minutes to sign
posters, CD albums and t-shirts. So when you, the fan went to meet the music
artists, you literally had about 10 seconds (if you were lucky) to meet the
music artists, and at times, the Musica staff were a bit mean to the fans as my
one friend did say she wanted a photo with some of the music artists, but was
pushed aside and couldn’t get the photo she wanted, so as I said, at times
during the course of meeting the music artists, the Musica staff were a bit
mean to the fans. KDay was fantastic because you got to meet music artists, see
their live performances, and also buy their music albums. The not-so-good part
of KDay was that the entrance gates were meant to open at a certain time, but
only opened after about 30 – 45 minutes; there weren’t much food choices,
especially for vegans/vegetarians, and the fans who met the music artists did
not have much time to meet the music artists. One more not-so-good part of KDay
with regard to meeting the music artists was when the music artists finished
their live performance, the people would have to wait in such a long queue, and
if they wanted to meet all the music artists, they would have to be in the
queue for the whole day. Overall though, KDay was a great day out: the sun was
shining bright, and there was music that the fans loved and all danced to.
This is why I did not write about KDay as I felt I had too many
negative views on this day.
This year also marks the second year that I am a vegetarian,
however, I have mostly been living a vegan lifestyle and I have not been eating
egg products, but I do still have dairy products. I am aware that the dairy and
egg industry are cruel, I am trying as much as I can to refrain from using any
milk or egg products. I would myself, rate that I am 80% - 85% vegan.
I actually found out this year that there is a website
called Veganuary, and you can sign up on their website and go vegan for the
whole of January. This is a great way to start your year off by being a vegan,
even if that means you are vegan just for January, and NO! It is not expensive
to be a vegan. I would recommend everyone to sign up, and take on the Veganuary
challenge. The Veganuary website also helps you find the foods and milk
alternative drinks you could have, as well as explain what happens in each
industry (meat, milk, egg, as well as myths etc.). Veganuary is your number one
source in finding out what happens to animals, and what you can do to stop the
animal cruelty.
Something I learnt when I went off meats: I have learnt that
you just look around in your house to see what you have, that is vegan of
cause, and then you put what food you have together and there you go, a vegan
dish (even if the dish is unusual). I have seen meat is much more expensive, an
example would be that the cost of 2 pork chops, could buy you 2 – 3 packets of
apples, maybe even 4 packets of apples. I believe that it is way more expensive
to buy meats than it is to buy vegetables.
This year was also the very first time I got my first
tattoo. I chose to have a Disney Tattoo as I will always and forever remain a
Disney fan. Ever since I can remember, I was brought up watching Disney movies,
owning Disney toys and even started playing Disney games. Walt Disney had a
dream, and he made his dream come true, and he has inspired millions of people
around the world, and I am one of them. I believe that I have a dream that will
come true if I pursue it and make the dream happen.
Photo of my Disney tattoo. Picture taken by Maggie Kruger Photography.
The new music artists I have been listening to, mainly this
year, has been the Butcher Babies. My previous blog post before this one is all
about the Butcher Babies, and I have also written about their new album “Take
It Like A Man” which was released this year. I have mentioned that the Butcher
Babies blog is highly detailed as the blog contains every possible bit of
information about the band. I wanted to include as much information as I can.
The Butcher Babies are seriously a very good band.
I can say this to all of you: My biggest role models for
this year have to be Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey. By watching their
interviews, seeing why they write their lyrics the way they do, the meaning
behind their songs and seeing how loyal they are to their fans, both Heidi and
Carla are amazing people. Heidi and Carla’s stage outfits when they are
performing live are very inspirational, and unique. I don’t know if these
ladies realize how much they have inspired their fans to achieve their own
goals. These ladies are fantastic role models and what I find inspiring is that
they take time out of their busy schedule and interact with their fans, where
it be at a live performance show or on social media such as Instagram. Both
Heidi and Carla are super inspirational and have given their fans inspirational
words said by them both, to help their fans follow their own dreams.
On the sad side of this year, it was with great sadness that
my family had to say goodbye to our dog Jessie, who has been with us for over
10 years! He was such a clever dog and was one of the best dogs my family
owned, but unfortunately, he had to go up to dog heaven. I can still remember
when I first found out we have a new dog, and it was when I got into the car
and saw this happy face behind me, licking me and wagging his tail. We will
miss you Jessie!
Picture Jessie our dog.
For those of you who would like to know more about Veganuary,
you can check out their website, as well as their social media sites here:
I also had over 2000 page views on my blog page in July this
year!! That is such a huge deal and means so much to me!! Thank you everyone who
has and will continue to view my blogs! I really thank you enough! This was
definitely one of the happiest moments in my life, to see so many people
viewing my blogs! Thank you!
Overall, this year has been a blast!
I do hope everyone else has had a fantastic year and that
you have New Year Resolution’s for 2016!
One of my New Year’s Resolutions would be to blog a lot
more, and maybe put my blog into parts, as they seem to always be quite long.
I also want to leave you with a few tips for next year:
Live your own life, be yourself, do not get influenced by
things you would never do, do not worry about unimportant issues and most of
all, be the person you want to be! Never ever change who you are!
Thank you everyone for reading my blog! It is always and
will forever be appreciated!
Have an amazing and joyful 2016!
Goodbye 2015! Was AWESOME! Hello 2016!! I am ready for you!!! Picture taken by Maggie Kruger Photography.
