"I've been built from every single incident in my life" -DJ Fresh

DJ Fresh       (pic via Google Images)

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I like DJ Fresh. Not in a groupie, break-into-a-sweat kind of swoon, but I really like his style. He's frank and he doesn't seem to take ish from anyone. Above all that, he's worked really hard to reach the level he's at right now, and he's someone I have a lot of respect for.

...oh, and I love his laugh! During my insomnia attacks in South Korea, I'd often tune in to 5fm via streaming and would love Fresh's contagious laughter. I've seen a couple of his TV interviews and I maintain that for a guy who is so big (in everything he does), his feet are planted firmly on the ground.

Anyways, 'nuff gushing over this DJ!

Last night (Tuesday, November 10, 2010) on 5fm Power Nights, hosted by Fresh and Euphonik, Fresh was put in the hot seat and interviewed about his life and favourite tunes. At the time, I was working at my computer, but I stopped typing and sat back to listen to the interview. From the (almost) hour-long interview, one thing that really made an impact on me was when Fresh said, "I've been built from every single incident in my life." He was also referring to his two years of studying law, which he didn't pursue further.

This definitely struck a chord with me.

News that my high school reunion will be taking place very soon has arrived much sooner than I ever expected! I suddenly feel like I have to accelerate my life to reach the goals I set when I was in matric.

Some of them included:

1) Move to Canada to study Journalism.
2) Land a job at a glossy magazine in an office overlooking a city skyline.
3) Meet my future husband, get married and have at least one or two babies.

There were a few more items on my list that I wanted to have achieved, and some of them I have. Needless to say, my goals have changed a bit, but that's another post that I've already written about!

I never believed in taking a gap year after high school, but it just so happened that I did. Although my plans to study in Canada didn't pan out as I wished, I still went over and spent 3 months there. One thing led to another and before I knew it, I was back in South Africa enrolled at university. Four years later, I graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism degree. I still didn't feel fulfilled. I craved adventure and needed a challenge. In 2007, I packed my life up and moved to the other end of the world to take up a teaching position. South Korea would be my home for a year. In 2008, I wasn't ready to leave so I decided to stay for another year. By 2009, I created a life there and I was in a comfort zone.

This year, I decided that I needed to be back in South Africa with my family and to explore the exciting possibilities that the country has to offer. So here I am! The option of going back to Korea is still open, but for now - I'm here.

As 2010 winds up (and as I'm receiving e-mails about my high school reunion), I can't help but reflect on what I've done over the past few years of my life. I've been blessed over and over again. First and foremost, I have a wonderful family, without whom I don't know where I'd be. I'm grateful for all the opportunities life has presented me, enabling some of my dreams to come to true - one of them being to travel.

Life isn't only made of "ups". I've had my "downs" as well, some of which I've written about before. The time I spent in Canada and months after that were very difficult for me. The time that I was diagnosed with panic attacks was probably the lowest point of my life. Because of this condition, some people urged me to de-register from university, but I refused to and was even more determined to pursue my degree. I showed THEM!

A number of my classmates from high school are married with children and many have done such amazing things in their life. Would I change anything that I did over the past ten years? Well, I wish I was more mature during my time spent in Canada. Maybe things would have turned out differently. Otherwise, I don't think I'd exchange those experiences. The rejection, heartbreak and tears toughened me up for what to expect in the "real world."

Borrowing Fresh's words, I'll say it again: 

"I've been built from every single incident in my life."