Sally-Jane

I am the Pinkhairgirl, and I guess, in a way, this story is all about me.

Well, it started with me, but I really hope that I was/am only the catalyst, and that along the way this becomes about so much more.

So who am I? In a nut-shell, I am a 32 year-old, re-single mom to 2 gorgeous kids. Gemini is my star sign‚ does that mean anything? I don’t think so but it DOES get you those knowing‚ “Oh so you’re one of THOSE. The difficult, split personality types? *insert eye rolling and small giggle*.

Well, no, I am not, but I am a bit of an anarchist at heart, and never just accept things. Everything, including rules and the status quo should be questioned and scrutinized. There is no absolute. Some think that I am a bit contrary, but I don’t do things, just to be difficult, or to do just the opposite. I just am not influenced by what the majority might think or do. I have been told I am an adult, and I guess the implication from this, is that I should be grown up and have it all figured out? Well, I don’t,  but I certainly embrace the idea of having as much fun as possible, and living life as fully as I can. I’ll have time to be all responsible and “grown-up” one day, I guess? Maybe in the autumn of my life, but even then I think I might have pink hair. Haha!

So how did the idea for a road trip come about? As I landed back in South Africa, after 2 years away in England, I had the overwhelming feeling that I was home. I am a South African, through and through I love this country. I am by no means blind to the many many problems and challenges ahead of our country, but there is a vibe and a spirit of being able to be involved in something new and fresh. Something on the verge of rediscovery that is exciting. I always got the feeling overseas, that things had all been done before, and it was hard to get a feeling of being able to make a real difference. Here in South Africa, I think the chance to really change lives, still exists.

I want to show my children this land, I want them to feel the passion I do, for the beauty both in the landscape and people. I want them to know the history of where we have been and how we got to where we are, and how lucky they are. I want them to know that with all the opportunities that they have, that others might not, comes the responsibility to make it better for all.

I love words and stories. Telling my own story after my marriage ended, and reading and interacting with others through blogging, has really helped me discover the power of narrative to heal, not only in the writer, but so often we can see and identify in the writing and stories of others. This makes the journey through some very painful, emotional places a little less lonely. I want to be able to highlight stories, I want to find some of the stories in our country, that might otherwise never be told.

I am a nurse and midwife by training, and I own my own natural baby company. All things green and eco really interest me. I really feel that we owe it to our kids to leave a lighter footprint on the planet, that they will inherit. That said I am a bit of a geek, and I like gadgets and tech stuff. I am really interested in how tech and eco can overlap, to make our lives easier, but also greener. I want to see what people are doing around the country to embrace a greener life, and what cool gadgets there are out there. I hope that by highlighting some of these things, that more people will want to try change even a few small things in their life and so collectively we can make a big difference to our impact on the planet.