Catherine Bruyns

• WHO Catherine Sarah Bruyns
• WHAT Mother, daughter, sister, friend and lover of words. That's all I know for sure, for now.
• WHERE Johannesburg, South Africa
• WHEN 4 October 1982
• HOW One step at a time....

I don't know how to describe myself without sounding either falsely modest or annoyingly arrogant, so I shall make like Julie Andrews and share a few of my favourite things...

1. Sky-eyed Ben and Chocolate-eyed Sam. They make my world go round.
2. The smell of old books. They feel important in my hands, like treasure and they're survivors, like me.
3. Tea. It tastes like home, and it always makes me think of my mother.
4. Words: in poetry, in books, in music, in love letters. I'll even take text messages in a pinch (Shuuuuuuush).
5. Music...all of it. It's poetry with a tune.
6. Dancing to that music, with purpose. Ass wiggling, hip swaying, foot tapping purpose.
7. Cooking, whilst dancing to that music. The kitchen is where I go to make sense of
things. Its the one place I feel that I know what I'm doing.
8. Sharing the result of the cooking (made whilst dancing to all that music) with the people that I love, or
just people that I like, or even people I vaguely know. Food is food, it makes me happy.
9. Being surprised by kindness. Nuff said.
10.When someone really hugs you. A squeeze hug. With meaning. No chest bumping, back patting, "I don't
really dig you but I think we should" hugs allowed here.
11. Cupcakes.
12. Summer days and swimming pools.
13. The Sea and Mountains, because they put life in perspective and they can make the greatest pain feel
insignificant.
14. Breathing. It means you're alive, it means you have purpose and means there are possibilities.

Disclaimer: This list does not represent the only things I like. There is more. And I'll update it upon the discovery of new favourite things. If you are not on the list, please note that I accept bribes, and that I do not consider white chocolate to be a member of the chocolate family. That is all.