Beliefs is an idea that one values, sees it to be true and that are learned. I am from the Zulu culture and there are different cultural beliefs that I have been taught and grew up with that have shaped my worldview and to become the person I am today. 

UBUNTU:

Ubuntu translated to "I am what I am because of who we all are", shows the importance of being one with the community, shaping each other, lending a hand to help one another as well as compassion. It has showed me that we all need each other no matter what ethnicity or race you are. We need to be united as one and grow stronger together. 

HNOURING OUR ANCESTORS:

The Zulu culture believe that spirits of deceased members of the family are our guardians that offer us guidance, protection as well as blessings and that they are close and are with God. That ancestors are a connection between the earthly realm and spiritual realm. The Zulu ethnicity group also believe that in order for ceremonies such as Umhlonyana, Umemulo as well as Amalobola to go well they need to have offerings such as a cow, food and drinks. Not only that but to also seek wisdom, wealth and health they need to honor their ancestors. This shaped my worldview that regardless of the fact that relatives before me have passed on I still need to acknowledge them and respect them. 

People that are close to us both physically and spiritually and who we share a relationship with, are the people that build us positively and shape us to be the best we can possibly be. My first circle of relationship is God and close relatives/family members, especially my mother and brother. God has always been there and has never given up on me even when I have lost faith from time to time. He is the reason as to why my family and I are safe and that my family and I have the basic needs in life. I truly am grateful for him and all the accomplishes I have achieved with him by side. My close family members are the main reason as to why I've gotten this far, they are my pillar of strength. I am now independent, with strong ambitions and big goals that I would want to achieve in life. They have showed me nothing but happiness, love, comfort, and support when no one else was there. I truly am grateful for them. 

My second circle of relationship would have to be my small group of friends and previous friendships. They show me what good fun is like in life, help me with schoolwork when I do not understand and also help shape each other as peers for a bright future. They are also the reasons as to why I've gotten so close to God. Friendships do come and go; however, I do admire every memory that I have made and shared with my old friendships, current friendships and new friendships. 

I know that my circle of relationships will not stay like this forever. Some who are in my second circle of relationship might end up being part of my first circle of relationships. Along the run I might also meet up with new people who might end up being a part of my life and be a part of my second circle of relationships. 

If you are not a morning person like me, then you must know what it feels like to wake up in morning feeling like a Zombie, dead yet alive at the same time. 

So, what is a typical morning like with me? That's a great question. My mornings are not very interesting, just the fact that I have to set about 5 alarms so that I drag myself out of bed and get started on with my day. Once I'm off my bed moving like a sloth, I make my way to the window so that I can open my blinds for the beautiful yet dramatic sun light (because the light literally blinds me) to enter my room and open my windows and sliding door for the amazing morning breeze that enters my room and actually wakes me up from my half sleep mode I'm normally in.

Once all that is done, I scroll through TikTok for about 10-15 minutes. Yes, I know I shouldn't be doing that but what can I say I'm addicted. After having a laugh or watching a few asmr mukbang videos I go take a shower to freshen up myself for the "wonderful" day I'll be having. Oh, don't get me started with having to choose what to wear, I think that's reason why I'm always leaving my room late and having to rush to class. Anyways after taking about 30-45 minutes trying to figure out what to wear, I pack my books according to the classes I'll be having that day, grab my water bottle and grab an apple as I'm not one to eat breakfast. I guess that's the reason as to why my energy is always low.  

If you know me, you'd know that I'm not a very social person. I'm always wearing my earphones whether it's before class or after my classes. I only socialize with people when I'm forced to, with my friends or when I'm in the mood to talk to certain people. After my classes for the day, I make my way to the Klipoog Kafeteria also known as the SS to grab lunch and maybe meet up with my friends for just 10 minutes just to check up on how their day is going. Once I've paid for my lunch, I make my way to the Amphitheater to eat my lunch and binge watch Netflix or Showmax depending on what I'm watching that week. This week I've been obsessed with The Mommy Club, The Glory and F.R.I.E.N.D.S. 

After eating lunch, I make my way back to my room as I live near Campus. While walking I'd think about how my life is so complicated and very stressful because of the amount of schoolwork I have and how I'll catch up with all the work. Not only that, but I also think about how high school and University is so different. In high school you knew that if you didn't do well in a certain test or assignment you can make up for your marks during the exams. However, in university you need to work really hard and pass all your tests and assignment in order to qualify to write an exam, hectic. Sometimes I would ask myself what it would feel like to get hit by a car and just be in coma for about a week just to escape from reality (not that I literally want to get hit by a car). 

Once I reach my room, the first thing I do is set an alarm so that I can sleep for at least 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours. After waking up from my amazing, deep sleep, because those afternoon naps be hitting different, I check my emails and eFundi to see if there are any new announcements. I then think about what I'll be having for dinner but today I decided on having takeaway, what can I say I'm a baddie on budget. The things I be telling myself is crazy. After getting dinner I eat and send a text a to my study partner asking if he/she (cannot be exposing the gender) is ready to get on with studying till the early a.m.'s. But before I go join my study partner in the study rooms, I quickly say a short prayer thanking God for the wonderful opportunity I'm getting to experience as not a lot of people to get to experience what University is like or even make it to university. Also, for a goodnight sleep and to continue blessing those in my life and those who aren't. I reach the study room, have a short conversation with my study partner and get on with studying. After studying with about 2-3 breaks in between we go our separate ways back to our rooms, where I would change into my pajamas, brush my teeth and lay my head onto my comfortable pillow, making that the end of my day.

I did say that my days in the week aren't very interesting, as I always repeat the same things every single day unless something interesting pops up. As for today nothing of interest happened.