I can't believe that a whole year has passed since my last blog. During July I was part of a group exhibition. This had kept me busy during the first half of 2010 preparing for it. From August onwards, I did not create any paintings as there were family events to see to. I did apply in August for the 3 year Diploma in Fine Art at the University of Johannesburg. In October I also had to go for a practical assessment and a interview. I was very glad to hear at the beginning of January this year that I have been accepted. Last week we had two full days of orientation and a separate morning for a computer course. Lectures start on Monday the 31st and will be every day Monday to Friday, from 8am to approximately 2pm, some days later. I will be celebrating my 60th birthday in April and have taken on the Diploma in Fine Art as a personal challenge to myself and also because Art has always been a passion. I retired from fulltime nursing at the end of 2004 and have been painting since then. I do believe the course can teach me a lot and really stretch me. Enthusiasm and interest I have plenty of, I pray for sufficient energy to complete the tasks for each day. All the best for 2011. May it be a year of blessing. Kind regards, Marashene.