RWC Japan 2019: South Africa vs Italy

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

After battling chronic back pain for the last couple of weeks I finally went to the doctor.  The truth is, I've actually been getting bouts of back pain for the last few years, but I just pushed it aside and got on with my life.  Sometimes it was worse than other times and I couldn't move at all.  This time, I had pushed some heavy tables at school, felt my back go, and put that down as to the cause.
The fact is, pushing those tables only exasperated the problem I didn't know I had.
I knew my back was weakening and actually felt as if I was losing some of my mobility.  But I just put that down as being somehow related to the Tram Flap reconstruction surgery I had had in 2004 after being diagnosed with breast cancer, where they used my stomach muscle to create a new breast.
I had never thought that it might actually be a disease of sorts.  That had never crossed my mind.
My doctor asked lots of questions, poked and prodded my back, twisted me around and then declared that I had a classic case of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and booked me in for an MRI to see how far it has progressed.
It turns out that various ailments I had been suffering from the last few years were all related to my lower spine.  But, myself and previous doctors had always treated them in isolation and never connected them together.  When you put them together, then you have a classic case of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.  My advice to you, is if you are reading this and have been getting some or all of these symptoms, go and see a doctor right away and get checked for Spinal Stenosis.
These are the symptoms I have had the last few years;
1. Chronic lower back pain where I feel like I have been cut in half and not put back properly.
2. Burning pain in lower back.
3. Chronic hip pain.
4. Cramps in the calf muscles.
5. Finding it hard to walk properly and sometimes limping.
6. Completely imobilised thinking my sciatic nerve is pinched.
7. Pain and stiffness across my upper back, sometimes even my neck. Muscles go into spasm and tense up.
8. Numbness and loss of feeling in my feet.
9. Pain in feet when walking.
10.  Unsteady on feet, struggling to get balance especially when climbing stairs, stepping onto escalators and stepping over objects.
11.  Struggle to control bladder.
12. Difficulty getting up out of a chair, sometimes walking a few steps with your back bent before you can straighten it.
13.  Unable to stand for any length of time when washing dishes or hanging up washing, as your back starts hurting so badly you have to sit down.
14.  Not able to walk long distances without stopping somewhere and sitting down as your back hurts so much.
15. Needing to lean on a supermarket trolley when shopping, as your back starts to hurt if you walk around carrying a basket.
I have found, that my back hurts less when I wear a backpack as that makes me lean forward when I walk.
All these symptoms I thought was just a product of ageing, and I guess in a way it is as you tend to get this when you are over 50.
As I discover treatments and strategies to ease the back pain, I'll share them with you.
Cindy Vine is the author of Not Telling, The Case of Billy B, Defective, CU@8, Hush Baby and The Freedom Club.  All her books are available in both paperback and ebook format on Amazon.com.

Shizuoka: Shrines and Shopping

Exploring NARITA in Japan

Musings from a Train

For someone who enjoys writing, it never ceases to amaze me how little I do of it.  To be sure, I spend all of my work week writing but that doesn't count as it isn't fun. It's work.  As I walk to work in the mornings, I often write blog posts in my head.  The problem is, is that is where they stay.  Buried somewhere in my head, shelved for another day, another time.  A time that never seems to come and that is sad.

This morning I am on a train to Oslo to go and pick up my passport from the Japanese Embassy.  It is almost holiday time again and I realised with horror I might add, that the last time I updated my blog was the last time I was on holiday.  Each time I update my blog I promise to keep up and update it weekly.  Then work happens, new TV series happen and I get so distracted writing doesn't happen.
I have to be better.
I have to be more disciplined.
This train journey is good for me.  It's giving me time to refocus.  I sit here in a crowded train, everybody in their own bubble, and I'm desperately trying to dig into my subconscious to retireve those good blog ideas.  Alas, they are buried in a trash heap of half-baked thoughts and plans for the future.  They are as good as lost.  Sad but true.  At the time some of those ideas seemed brilliant.
I know I am waffling on.  I guess that's what happenes when you start your day with a 2 hour train journey just to collect a passport from an embassy.
Amazing how may people travel through to Oslo for work each day.  Who would have thought.  Standing room is even full.  Thank goodness the train was relatively empty when I boarded.
Death is on my mind quite a lot lately as people I know are dying.  There's so much I still want to do, I am so afraid my time will come and I won't have done it.  Like the rest of this blog post.
As a train rushes by stopping briefly at the odd station, so our life rushes by.  Before we know it we are at the end of our journey, our final destination.  Sobering thoughts on a train trip.
Next stop is Oslo Central Station.  My stop.
Cindy Vine is the author of The Freedom Club, Hush Baby, Not Telling and Defective.  All her books are available on Amazon in both ebook and paperback format.

When Social Media takes control of Your Life

Yeah Social Media…love it or hate it but it is everywhere.  Despite our best intentions, we can’t seem to live without it.  Social Media enables procrastinators to…well, procrastinate.  Okay, let’s rephrase that.  Social Media enables me to procrastinate.  And how do I know this?  Well…

Holed up in Havana, Cuba, without any WIFI, I am actually writing a blog post.  Today I’ve written TWO book reviews, a blog post for my cindyvinetravels.com blog and this blog post.  That’s more than I achieve in an average weekend!

It’s not that I have writer’s block.

It’s not that I don’t have a myriad of things to write about.

It’s not that I don’t have the time.

It’s that…I sort of get distracted.  I have to check my Twitter for any notifications and status updates of those in the Writing Community I belong to.  And then I have to check Facebook to see if anybody commented on my post, anybody posted something exciting that I want to comment on, anybody in either one of my Youtube FB groups, or FB writing groups or one of the Travel FB groups I belong to posted anything interesting, or asked a question I can answer.  Then I have to go on Youtube to watch the news and any new videos uploaded from my subscriptions.  In between I might make myself a coffee, or breakfast or lunch and before I know it, it’s dinner and I am WTF where did the day go?

I think I have a problem.

There is no point in having creative genes if social media stops you from wearing them.  (That was a pun!)

I love to write so why the hell don’t I do more of it?  What about the novel and cookbook I have to finish?  Okay, long story cut short.  I was nearly finished with Diary of a Dancer and the cookbook.  Both unfinished manuscripts were on my laptop that was stolen out of the principal’s office while I was doing a school visit.  True story.  To start from the beginning again on both projects that were close to completion has sort of demotivated me.  I did write The Freedom Club last year, I managed to break away from social media to do that!  However, I couldn’t break away enough to do marketing.  Yep, marketing books, t-shirts, it’s a real schlep and I’ll eagerly jump onto social media to avoid doing it.

I admit it.  Social media has control of my life.  Oh, did I forget to mention Instagram?  I did, didn’t I? And Pinterest.  I am doomed.

So, what am I going to do about it?  I guess that is the logical question.

I think I need to structure my weekends and my life a little more.  I need to block time to do my social media things, and make sure that it doesn’t encroach on my writing time.  I need to, shall I say it, become more disciplined.

I’m not going to remove social media from my life.  That would just be counter-productive.  I do need it for my marketing, and I do need to be a part of the different communities I belong to.  But, I need to restrict my access to certain times so that I can still create and not stagnate.

I can’t let it dictate how I spend my day.

And I can’t let it be the reason that I don’t have time to write.

I have the time, I just need to set little boundaries for my social media time.

Thank you Havana for no WIFI! (And I’m not being sarcastic!)

I can do this!

I will do this!

I will take back my life!

Cindy Vine is a South African author and teacher currently living in Norway.  She is the author of numerous novels including Not Telling, Defective, Hush Baby, CU@8 and The Freedom Club.  All her books are available on Amazon.com in both ebook and paperback format.  The Freedom Club is available in Spanish and Portuguese.  You can find out about her novels http://cindyvine.com

For her travel blog http://cindyvinetravels.com

For her musings http://cindy-vine.blogspot.com

Follow Cindy on Facebook https://facebook.com/cindyvinefanpage

Follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest @cindyvine

And, if you enjoy travel and travel videos, subscribe to her Youtube Channel http://www.youtube.com/c/CindyVine

10 Things NOT to pack in your carry-on

ATV Offroad Adventure Garden Route (South Africa)

Sunday Drive in Norway (on a Friday!)

 
Please like and subscribe to my Youtube channel.  I upload new videos each week.

Cindy Vine is a South African currently living in Norway.  She is the author of Not Telling, The Case of Billy B, Defective, CU@8, Hush Baby and The Freedom Club.  All her books are available on Amazon.com in both ebook and paperback format.  You can find out more about Cindy and her other books on www.cindyvine.com.  Should you wish to find out about some of the many countries she's visited, you can visit her travel blog www/cindyvinetravels.com.

Why bother? Are you putting in effort for nothing?

Sometimes nothing seems to go right.
You run every day, do Cross Fit, eat healthily but you still can't complete a marathon.
You research, do character sketches, plot your novel, get it professionally edited but you still struggle to sell 100 copies of the book.
You spend money on marketing, get heaps of downloads when you offer your book for free but still fail to get any reviews.
You share what you have done with family and friends, they say good job, but they don't bother to read your novels or watch your videos and you know it's just empty meaningless praise.
(Not that I run or do Cross Fit or have any intention of running in a marathon but you get what I mean!)
You save money to travel to all the places on your bucket list but nobody is interested in hearing about your adventures.
Nobody cares.  They might say they do, but really they don't.
So why bother?
Why waste your time putting in effort when nobody gives a damn?
Why put in the effort when you never succeed.  Should we just not try?
How many times do you bend over backwards to make a relationship work, and you still end up getting stabbed in the back?
You never smoke, never drink in excess and still you get cancer.
You try and do the right thing over and over but nothing seems to work.
Everything is a constant struggle.  As if you are constantly running head first into a concrete wall.
If we are never meant to succeed, then should we even try?
Well, you have to ask yourself what constitutes success.  Is success getting recognition from others?  Is success some kind of financial reward?  Is success measured by the amount of followers or subscribers you have, the amount of views or downloads you get?  How do you measure your success?  Is success getting someone to love or like you?
Maybe we need to start doing things for ourselves and not doing it to please or impress others.
Leading a healthy lifestyle should be success enough without the marathon.
Completing a novel and getting it published should be enough of an achievement.
Learning skills to make a Youtube video should be a sign of success.
We need to start celebrating our achievements instead of rating them according to others' reactions to them.  Do things for yourself, set yourself goals and celebrate when you achieve them.  Don't base your success on what others think.  They don't know what you went through and have no appreciation for your journey.
We all live in our own bubble.  Sometimes our bubbles collide and become Venn Diagrams, but often they are just floating around oblivious to the bubbles near them.
People don't mean to not give a damn.  They are only concerned about their bubble.  They don't notice what is going on in yours.
If you are only writing a novel, running a marathon, making a Youtube video, propping up a relationship to please others, then you are doing it for the wrong reason.
You need to become selfish.  Do it to please you.  Do it because it makes you happy.  Do it because you enjoy being creative and learning new skills.  Don't give up, be resilient.  Bounce back.
Run in a half-marathon instead of a full marathon.  Nobody wants to read your novel, write another.  Read other books to work on your skills.  Nobody wants to watch your Youtube videos, continue perfecting your editing and filming skills and keep uploading new content.  Nobody wants to read your blog posts, so what.  Write them for yourself.  Get those words out of you.  Be resilient and bounce back.  Don't let others' apathy towards your efforts bring you down.
If selling a book was easy everybody would be doing it.  Nothing in life is easy and sometimes you don't see an immediate benefit for all the effort you put in.
Anyway, these are just some of my random thoughts on a miserable rainy day when I should be writing reports.

Please like and subscribe to my Youtube channel.  I upload new videos each week.

Cindy Vine is a South African currently living in Norway.  She is the author of Not Telling, The Case of Billy B, Defective, CU@8, Hush Baby and The Freedom Club.  All her books are available on Amazon.com in both ebook and paperback format.  You can find out more about Cindy and her other books on www.cindyvine.com.  Should you wish to find out about some of the many countries she's visited, you can visit her travel blog www/cindyvinetravels.com.

Discover Cape Town: V & A Waterfront

  
If you are ever visiting Cape Town, you just have to go to the V & A Waterfront.  There is so much to see and do there.  It is also from here that you can book boat rides, sunset cruises, ferry to Robben Island and helicopter rides.
Cindy Vine is a teacher and author currently living in Norway.  She is the author of Not Telling, Defective, Hush Baby and The Freedom Club.  All her books are available on Amazon in paperback and ebook format. www.cindyvine.com.
Follow her travel blog on www.cindyvinetravels.com

Norway: 17th May in Oslo

 
Watching the parades on Constitution Day in Norway is a must see!  Here's the video I made of some of the pomp and circumstance and some of the parades going to the King's palace.
Cindy Vine is a teacher and author currently living in Norway.  She is the author of Not Telling, Defective, Hush Baby and The Freedom Club.  All her books are available on Amazon in paperback and ebook format. www.cindyvine.com.
Follow her travel blog on www.cindyvinetravels.com

How to make South African Biltong

 
This is my Youtube video on how to make biltong.  I absolutely love biltong and make my own wherever I live in the world.  Biltong is the perfect keto snack and great to nibble on when you are watching sport on TV.  You can adjust the seasonings to make it as spicy as you want.
Cindy Vine is a teacher and author currently living in Norway.  She is the author of Not Telling, Defective, Hush Baby and The Freedom Club.  All her books are available on Amazon in paperback and ebook format. www.cindyvine.com.
Follow her travel blog on www.cindyvinetravels.com

What to do in Cape Town: Fairview Wine and Cheese Tasting

One of my favourite places to visit in Cape Town is the Fairview Wine Estate.  What stands out from the many other fantastic wineries for me, is the fact that they also make the best cheese.  You can do a cheese and wine tasting.  The serene, peaceful environment of this winery always recharges my batteries.  If you are in Cape Town, put Fairview Wine Estate on your list of places to go.
Please like and subscribe to my Youtube channel.  I upload new videos each week.
Cindy Vine is a South African currently living in Norway.  She is the author of Not Telling, The Case of Billy B, Defective, CU@8, Hush Baby and The Freedom Club.  All her books are available on Amazon.com in both ebook and paperback format.  You can find out more about Cindy and her other books on www.cindyvine.com.  Should you wish to find out about some of the many countries she's visited, you can visit her travel blog www/cindyvinetravels.com.

Why I’m Making Travel Videos – Travels with Cindy Vine

Why I’m Making Travel Videos – Travels with Cindy Vine

As a writer, it's important to keep writing even if it is a blog post for your travel blog.  Here's the link to my blog post.   The more you write, the better you get.  It's like training for a marathon.  You can't just go out and run it and expect to make it.  You need to practise every day.

Cindy Vine is the author of the novels Not Telling, Defective, Hush Baby and The Freedom Club.  All her books are available on Amazon in both kindle and paperback format. www.cindyvine.com

How Norway disposes of trash

I took my Grade 4 class to the local dump to have a closer look at how Norway handles their trash.  Besides getting caught in a freak hailstorm which morphed into a snowstorm, we learned a lot.  Norway excels at trash disposal and fully deserves being called a Green Country.  My Youtube video shows just how Norway deals with its trash.  Please like and subscribe to my Youtube channel.  I upload new videos each week.
Cindy Vine is a South African currently living in Norway.  She is the author of Not Telling, The Case of Billy B, Defective, CU@8, Hush Baby and The Freedom Club.  All her books are available on Amazon.com in both ebook and paperback format.  You can find out more about Cindy and her other books on www.cindyvine.com.  Should you wish to find out about some of the many countries she's visited, you can visit her travel blog www/cindyvinetravels.com.

Cindy Vine Travels

 
This is the channel trailer I made for my Youtube Travel Channel.  It's really short, under a minute, and won't take you long to watch it!
Please subscribe to my Youtube Channel for more Travel destinations and tips.  It's free and won't impact your life in any way but will help me a lot!
Cindy Vine is a South African currently living and working in Norway.  She is the author of Not Telling, Defective and Hush Baby to name a few. All her books are available on Amazon.com in both Kindle and Paperback format.  You can find out more about her books by going to http://cindyvine.com.

What to do in Cape Town: See Endangered Penguins

 
The African Penguin, also known as the Jackass Penguin is on the endangered list.  If you are visiting Cape Town, then there are 3 different places where you can see this endangered penguin. You can watch my Youtube video to find out where to go.
Please subscribe to my Youtube Channel for more Travel destinations and tips.
Cindy Vine is a South African currently living and working in Norway.  She is the author of Not Telling, Defective and Hush Baby to name a few. All her books are available on Amazon.com in both Kindle and Paperback format.  You can find out more about her books by going to http://cindyvine.com.

What to do in Cape Town: The Old Biscuit Mill

 
If you are visiting Cape Town and will be there on a Saturday morning, you just HAVE to go to The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock.  If you are a foodie, this is one day trip you can't miss!
Please subscribe to my Youtube Channel for more Travel destinations and tips.
Cindy Vine is a South African currently living and working in Norway.  She is the author of Not Telling, Defective and Hush Baby to name a few. All her books are available on Amazon.com in both Kindle and Paperback format.  You can find out more about her books by going to http://cindyvine.com.

Cape Town for Foodies – Travels with Cindy Vine

Cape Town for Foodies – Travels with Cindy Vine

Click on the link above to go to my travel blog especially if you are planning a visit to Cape Town in South Africa..  

Please check out my travel blog for cool places to visit, great restaurants and useful travel tips.

You can also subscribe to my Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CindyVine

As I've just returned from Cape Town, there will be a lot more Cape Town blog posts and videos coming!

Cindy Vine is a South African currently living and working in Norway.  She is the author of Not Telling, Defective and Hush Baby to name a few. All her books are available on Amazon.com in both Kindle and Paperback format.  You can find out more about her books by going to http://cindyvine.com.
 

South African Abroad: Voting Day

Freedom Day on the 27th April is the day South Africans living abroad get the opportunity to vote with a special vote in the upcoming general elections. Here's my Election Voting video I posted on Youtube. Please like and subscribe to my channel.
Cindy Vine is an author and teacher currently living ad working in Norway.  She is the author of Hush Baby, CU@8, Defective and The Freedom Club, all available on Amazon.com in both kindle and papareback format.

Galbi (Cape Town) Review

Galbi is an amazing Korean fusion restaurant in Cape Town city centre. It's a social occasion to eat there, so take along your friends to make an awesome night out of it!
Here's my video review I posted on Youtube. Please like and subscribe to my channel.
Cindy Vine is an author and teacher currently living ad working in Norway.  She is the author of Hush Baby, CU@8, Defective and The Freedom Club, all available on Amazon.com in both kindle and papareback format.

Burger and Lobster (Cape Town) Review

On a trip to Cape Town, South Africa, I was lucky enough to go to Burger and Lobster in Bree Street for dinner.  Here's my video review I posted on Youtube. Please like and subscribe to my channel.
Cindy Vine is an author and teacher currently living ad working in Norway.  She is the author of Hush Baby, CU@8, Defective and The Freedom Club, all available on Amazon.com in both kindle and papareback format.

The Fire Dancer

On a recent trip to the Garden Route in South Africa, this young man wowed us with his fire poi dancing. I made a youtube video of the night's entertainment. Please like the video and subscribe to my Youtube channel.
Cindy Vine is an author and teacher living and working in Norway. She is the author of The Case of Billy B, Hush baby and the Freedom Club, amonsgt others. All her books are available on Amazon.com in bot ebook and paperback format.

Notre Dame

The recent fire at Notre Dame inspired me to revisit my trip there in June 2018. Here is the Youtube video I made of my trip to Notre Dame.  Enjoy! Please like the video and subscribe to my Youtube channel.
Cindy Vine is a South African author and teacher crrently living and working in Norway. She is the author of Defective, Hush Baby and The Freedom Club, to mention a few. All her books are available on Amazon.com in both ebook and paperback format.

Bergen: Gateway to the Fjords

Bergen is a great weekend destination from anywhere in Europe.  There's lots to see and do as well as it being a gateway to the fjords.
Here is my Youtube video about my trip to Bergen.  Please hit the like button on the video and subscribe to my Youtube channel. I post travel and travel-related videos weekly.

Cindy Vine is an author and teacher currently living and working in Norway. She is the author of Hush Baby, The Freedom Club and Not Telling, to mention a few. All her books are available in eboo and paperback format on Amazon.com

How to Recycle like Norway

I'm currently doing a Unit of Inquiry with my class on Reduce, reuse, Recycle.  I took my class to a large supermarket near the school to find out how 'green' they were.  What I saw blew my mind.  I think that many countries can learn from Norway.
Here's the Youtube video I made about it.  Please like and subscribe.

Cindy Vine is an author and teacher currently living and working in Norway.  You can follow her travel blog on cindyvinetravels.com.  She is the author of Not Telling, Defective, Hush Baby and The Freedom Club.  All her books are available on Amazon in both ebook and paperback formats.

Visit to Chernobyl

A few years ago I visited Chernobyl in Ukraine. It was an extremely sobering experience. The deserted buildings were downright creepy. It was a reminder that this is what we'll leave behind should the human race become extinct.
Cindy Vine is an author and teacher who is addicted to travel.  Follow her travel blog on cindyvinetravels.com. You can also subscribe to her Youtube Channel.  All Cindy's books are available on Amazon.com in both ebook and paperback formats.

Planning the summer holiday

As winter breathes its last gasps and the snow starts to melt it's time to start planning the summer holiday.  What are you planning for your summer holiday?

Cindy Vine is an author, teacher, traveler who writes novels and keeps a travel blog on cindyvinetravels.com.  Cindy has a Youtube channel.  Please click on the video above and SUBSCRIBE and click like.  It would be greatly appreciated.  You can find Cindy's books on Amazon.com in ebook and paperback format.

Blue Yeti Review

When I had to put on my big girl panties and figure out some tech stuff by myself, without getting my children to do it for me, I decided to record this journey on video which I uploaded to Youtube as a product review.

Cindy Vine is an author, teacher, traveler who writes novels and keeps a travel blog on cindyvinetravels.com.  Cindy has a Youtube channel.  Please click on the video above and SUBSCRIBE and click like.  It would be greatly appreciated.  You can find Cindy's books on Amazon.com in ebook and paperback format.

Jewish Tour of Lviv

The Jewish Tour of Lviv wasn't just interesting, it was also a reminder of the cruelty of humans to each other.  Personally, I think that you can't just go to Lviv and enjoy the wonderful food and ambience of the many themed cafes and restaurants.  You need to balance it with this trip down memory lane and remember all those who were murdered because they were Jewish.

Cindy Vine is an author, teacher, traveler who writes novels and keeps a travel blog on cindyvinetravels.com.  Cindy has a Youtube channel.  Please click on the video above and SUBSCRIBE and click like.  It would be greatly appreciated.  You can find Cindy's books on Amazon.com in ebook and paperback format.

Visit to Lviv

Lviv is an amazing city in Western Ukraine with heaps of history and amazing cafes and restaurants making it a foode heaven.

Cindy Vine is an author, teacher, traveler who writes novels and keeps a travel blog on cindyvinetravels.com.  Cindy has a Youtube channel.  Please click on the video above and SUBSCRIBE and click like.  It would be greatly appreciated.  You can find Cindy's books on Amazon.com in ebook and paperback format.

Letters to Mother Earth

I got my Grade 4 Class to write letters to Mother Earth.
Here are some of the things they wrote.

Dear Mother Earth
I am so sorry about all the pollution we humans are making.  I will try to stop people polluting but it won't be easy.  And I'm sorry that people are cutting down your trees.  I will try to recycle when I can.  I will tell my whole family about it.  I hope that you will get better, Mother Earth.  I love you because you gave me lfe.

Dear Mother Earth
In 2018 it was cold but now it is hot and there is so much ice. Can you stop it?

Dear Mother Earth
Sorry for the climate and the terrible things some people do like throwing plastic.  I hope you'll be okay.  You're the kindest person I've seen and I want to help you to continue to give us life.  You're the most caring person.  I hope people will stop!  I don't know why people do this to you?  I feel bad for you.  I hope you stay strong as I believe in you.  It's okay to feel pain.  Just breathe in and breathe out.  You are strong.  You are kind.  You can make it through.  Is the earth okay?  My wish for you is that the water stays fresh, te flowers are blooming and the sun keeps shining.

Dear Mother Earth
We are so sorry for our bad behaviour and all we humans have done.  How could we ever thank you for all the water and food you have given us over the years?  We all love you, but some weird people don't deserve you.  I am so angry at bad humans.  Every time I see rubbish, I pick it up and put it in the trash.

Dear Mother Earth
I am sorry people are bad to you but I wonder what you plan to do about it and if the world will go down and if it happened what will happen to us.  Why must good people suffer for the things bad people do?

Dear Mother Earth
Four years ago, I helped Mother Earth by planting lots of little trees at my house.  The trees give us air.

Dear Mother Earth
I am worried about three things.
Plastic in the ocean.
Cutting down too many trees.
Bad air.

Dear Mother Earth
I'm so sorry for what we have done to the earth.  The earth is getting worse and worse and many people try and stop this but it's not enough.  The poles are melting and pollution is happening.  The earth is getting warmer and warmer.  Before everyone thought we could do what we want and it would be okay but it has all gone so bad too fast.

Dear Mother Earth
I wanted to ask you if the world will go down like a ship?  It sounds very dark.  How will it go down?  Climate change?  Will you ever be able to forgive humans for what we have done to you?  We can still change and right now there are children all over the world sriking just because they are angry at what their parents did to cause climate change.  Do adults even care?  Many people say that they are doing good things for the environment but they are lying.  It's all about the money.  They don't care if they hurt or damage you as long as they make money.

Cindy Vine is a teacher and author currently living and working in Norway.  She is the author of Not Telling, Defective, Hush baby and The Freedom Club.  You can buy her books on Amazon.com.https://www.amazon.com/Ms-Cindy-Vine/e/B002C1D9G2/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Ngorongoro Crater Safari

Follow my travels on my travel blog cindyvinetravels.com, as I look back at some of my most memorable trips over the years.  Find out information on how to get there and how to get around.
You can read my books on Amazon.com

Dog Sledding in Norway

Dog sledding was on my bucket list.  After doing some research, I found a dog sledding tour place near me the town I live in. 
You can find out more about dog sledding on my travel blog  https://cindyvinetravels.com 
You can subscribe to my Youtube channel to see more of my travel videos and book trailers, as well as occasional random stuff.  http://www.youtube.com/c/CindyVine
You can find out more information about my books on my website www.cindyvine.com
 

Anybody can make Travel Videos

You can also follow my travel blog on cindyvinetravels.com, to find out about some of the destinations I've travelled to and also get some travel tips.
You don't have to be young and beautiful to be a traveler or youtuber.  Even old fat women can travel and make travel videos!
You can find out more about my books on cindyvine.com

Iceland Getaway

I was lucky enough to spend 4 days in Iceland.  The weather was terrible, but I still managed to achieve 3 items on my bucket list.  The Northern Lights, Blue Lagoon and to ride a snowmobile on a glacier.
You can find out more about Iceland on my travel blog  https://cindyvinetravels.com 
You can subscribe to my Youtube channel to see more of my travel videos and book trailers, as well as occasional random stuff.  http://www.youtube.com/c/CindyVine
You can find out more information about my books on my website www.cindyvine.com

Reaction from a Freedom Club reader

This is a letter I received from Jon Howard whom I do not know and have never met before.

Hi Cindy,

I’ve just finished reading the freedom club (it’s 3:18am and I’m not normally a night person) and I just had write back and say...

Wow

Thank you

That was amazing

Awesome

Scary

Intense

And so much more.

As a victim of bullying back in the 80’s when I was at school I thought long and hard about your story and what it meant to me. It dragged back feelings of sickness and revulsion at the bullies in your story, you did an amazing job on the characters adding a degree of depth and realism that only the bullied can ever really appreciate.

I’m just so grateful that access to social media wasn’t a thing back then as I know I would have been even more of a victim and god alone only knows if I’d ever have been able to recover from some of the crap that the bullied of today have to deal with.

As a victim of being bullied I can appreciate the utter destruction that it does to ones feelings of self worth and confidence and as a parent it was my greatest fear that my kids would be bullied and so I always tried to to what ever I could to quash any signs of bullying and give my kids the level of self confidence that would allow them to develop their own armour. I’ve often told them that if they can’t look in the mirror and learn to love the person looking back then they’ll never develop the sense of self worth that is required to believe that they are worth fighting for, and to stand up to the bullies.

I’ve never understood the compulsion that drives bullies to do the things they do, I think maybe that is lacking a little in your story, but to do that might almost humanise the antagonists to the point where we’re not genuinely happy to see the bullies get their just desserts (so to speak)

Regardless I was drawn into the story and once started I had to finish, I had to see where it would end - I don’t know if it was intended but I felt a strong vibe of the second season of The Netflix show American Vandal and if you haven’t guessed it already i really enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to read it. I think enjoyed might be the wrong word as I felt this was at times hard to read yet compelling all the same. Again if I had to draw a comparison I’d link it to the experience of watching American History X

Anyway, it’s late (or early) and I’m rambling a bit so I just wanted to thank you again and can’t wait to read some more of your work.

Kindest Regards 

Jon...

You can purchase The Freedom Club on Amazon in both ebook and paperback format.  Here is the link for the ebook.

Cindy Vine is a South African currently living in Norway.  She classes her books as 'reality'  fiction as they cover everyday social issues many people face.  The Freedom Club has been translated into both Spanish and Portuguese.

Some of her other novels are The Case of Billy B, Not Telling, Defective and Hush Baby.

Why you need a Bucket List

Not everybody has a life that is perfect all the time.  Most people have a life full of ups and downs - a bit like a roller-coaster.  When you are on the down part it is easy to get depressed and fall into a funk.  A bucket list can move you out of that dark place.
A bucket list is a list of things you'd like to do before you die, or kick the bucket.
We all have dreams and goals.  We just don't write them down.  Sometimes we store them in some obscure part of our brain.  Most of the time, those dreams and goals gather cobwebs as we push them further and further away.  If we are not careful they will become out of sight, out of mind.  Writing them down brings them to the fore.
Granted, not all dreams are achievable, but many are doable.  The doable ones, write down on your bucket list and then make a plan to start ticking them off your list.  Planning to achieve and complete items on your bucket list is certain to get you out of the funk as it gives you a purpose.  Something to work towards.  A reward to celebrate the journey.
For me a bucket list is all about keeping my spirit of adventure alive.  I want my gravestone to read "She lived her life to the fullest."  I want to experience as much as possible and make as many memories as I can to savor and ruminate over when I am too old and frail to do anything.  And then of course, I might go before I get old and frail.  You just never know.  So, I have to try and do as much as possible before my time is up.
My bucket list gives me hope as well as happiness.  If I find myself feeling down, I will focus on my bucket list and start to get excited.  What should I do next?
For every item I tick off, I think of a new one to replace it with.  So my bucket list is continually evolving.
I have a few bucket list items coming up soon that I will be able to tick off my list.  What can I replace them with?  I feel happy just imagining what I can do next.
Cindy Vine is a South African currently living in Norway.  Besides ticking items off her bucket list, she is the author of The Freedom Club, Defective, Hush Baby, CU@8 and others.  Her books are all available on Amazon.com in both ebook and paperback formats.  www.cindyvine.com

Review of The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather   Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved, loved, loved this book! Set in the horrors of the holocaust, it is a story of hope, never giving up, human ingenuity and enduring unbelievable love. It is truly a love that conquers all. The author has managed to capture it all and write it so that you feel as if you are watching a movie in your head. Definitely my best read of 2018 and highly recommended.


View all my reviews

Cindy Vine is a South African living in Norway.  She is the author of The Case of Billy B, Not Telling, Defective, CU@8, Hush Baby and The Freedom Club.  All her books are available on Amazon in both ebook and paperback formats.

Review of The Reckoning by John Grisham

The Reckoning by John Grisham

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


If you like a book with a happy ending, then this is definitely not the book for you. This book is full of tragedies that will leave you reeling. It combines legal drama with historical fiction. As someone who likes historical facts, the war section was quite gripping. But in saying that, a lot of it wasn't really necessary for the story and might put off a lot of readers. The twist in the wtist was a bit of a surprise, and I think Grisham wrapped up the story too quickly. I wanted it to end with at least one good happy event and a come-uppance to the baddies!



View all my reviews
Cindy Vine is the author of The Case of Billy B, CU@8, Defective, Hush Baby and The Freedom Club.  All her books are available on Amazon in both ebook and paperback format.

Review of A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I love Jodi Picult and always eagerly await her latest book. Unfortunately, A Spark of Light left me feeling a little bleh. It was well-researched as always. Maybe a little too much like a lecture at times. But, and I hate to say this, but it felt like she had printed off her manuscript, accidentally dropped it on the floor, and some of the page order got muddled up. It took a little while for me to realise that she was writing in reverse time order, but with the many characters, all their perspectives and different times in their lives within a chapter - it became a little confusing. It then became a book I had to read because I'd paid good money for it and because it was a Jodi Picoult, not a book I read because it was entertaining and I was gripped. But that's just my perspective. Also, the way it was written, the attempt at a twist fell flat because it was totally predictable. I wish I could be more positive, as I am a die-hard Picoult fan.



View all my reviews
Cindy Vine is the author of Not Tellng, Defective, Hush Baby and The Freedom Club.  All her books are available on Amazon in both ebook and paperback format.