See Ya 2013!

After returning from my trip back  to South Africa, 2013 will for me forever be associated with the death of Nelson Mandela. I’m so grateful to have been home to mourn his passing with my fellow South Africans, and report on the stories of inspiration his life has created.

2013 also marked another year of life in New York City, which always keeps me on my toes – something I was very evidently reminded of when I came home from the 20-odd hour flight to find the bathroom ceiling of my apartment had collapsed. Luckily the city is also full of characters who can turn any situation around, like the plumber who told me, as he removed debris from the place where my shower used to be, that this calamity is a sign of good luck in the new year.

Ever since I was 12 years old and started keeping a journal, I’ve looked back at the Year That Was and highlighted the moments that stood out. Here, then, on this digital diary of sorts, are some of my best parts of 2013…

Favourite Movies 

Gravity 

12 Years A Slave

Her

All is Lost

The Great Beauty (La Grande Belleza)

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty 

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Inside Llewyn Davis

Prisoners

Fruitvale Station

Favourite Songs

Iyongwe – John Wizards

Do I Wanna Know – Arctic Monkeys

Run Boy Run – Woodkid

Lose Yourself to Dance – Daft Punk 

Haim – Don’t Save Me

Elevate – St Lucia

Hold On, We’re Going Home – Drake

Bastille – Pompei

Arcade Fire – Reflektor

Chvrches  – Recover

Lorde – Royals

Rhye – Open

Rudimental – Waitin’ All Night

Power Trip – J.Cole

Alingo – P-Square

Burn – Ellie Goulding

Favourite TV Show Orange is The New Black (Crazy Eyes!)

Favourite Story to Cover When Searching for Sugar Man won the Oscar for Best Documentary.

Best Interview Moment  Oprah for Lee Daniels’ The Butler

Best Personal Kick-Ass Moment Running the 2014 NYC Marathon!