The Importance Of Family

As you all know now that Derek and I will be married in less than 12 days from now.

Family is important to me, especially from my the one that I am integrating into and my step brothers and sisters.

It has been a long hard walk but the greatest thing is having a family that cares with values and principles.

We have to carry on the traditions and integrity of both family blood lines and respect our elders in both families.

Show love and understanding and commitment and foster and build new relations with both sides of the family and the target will be a whole family united through love and understanding.

As we grow we will embrace all that comes our way with vigour and take step by step until we are over comers.

Every problem shall be a challenge and a privilege and together Derek and I through wisdom shall hold our heads high and be an example that marriage can work and be a success between two men and be respected by the whole family and community.

Its with this hope that we both look into the future and if in the future we have the privilege of been foster parents we will install family values as any other couple would and bring up the child in love and understanding.

I wish you a blessed week and hope this past week went well

 

Mark

FW: Helen Zille : SA Today - An Open letter to Jacob Zuma on his candidacy for President

 

 

Mark Farrell

Tel: 27 76 280 2833

0762802833

021 689 4021/ 27 21 689 4021

Skype: posboy1

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From: DA News [mailto:cindy@da.org.za]
Sent: 19 February 2009 04:05 PM
To: markgavinfarrell@gmail.com
Subject: Helen Zille : SA Today - An Open letter to Jacob Zuma on his candidacy for President

 

Open letter to Jacob Zuma on his candidacy for President Dear Mr Zuma Before your legal team makes representations to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) tomorrow, I request that you put your ambitions aside and act in the interests of the country and the Constitution by publicly stepping down as the ANC’s presidential candidate. Rather than creating a “bad precedent”, as you told your supporters outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court earlier this month, the withdrawal of your candidacy would set an excellent precedent. It would demonstrate to your fellow South Africans – the people whom you aspire to lead – that real leaders place national interests ahead of personal interests. It would send a clear and powerful message that political leaders must be held to account; that their conduct must be beyond reproach, and their probity must be beyond suspicion. Above all, it would match in deed your recently-stated commitment to upholding the Constitution and the values that underpin it. If you were to be elected President by the National Assembly without having been exonerated of the charges against you in a court of law, that would seriously undermine the Constitution. In fact, I have been reliably informed by senior members of the bar that your election could be challenged in the Constitutional Court. That is because your presidency would create a conflict of interest between your constitutional role as Head of State and your status as an accused in a matter that has been brought against you by the state itself. Until such time as you are cleared in a court of law, it is impossible for you to serve your country as its President with any hope of being able to discharge the obligations and responsibilities that all of our presidents have to undertake in terms of the Constitution. To use a soccer analogy: If you were to become President while still Accused number 1, you would find yourself simultaneously in the same position as the Chiefs’ striker (President) and the Pirates’ goalkeeper (Accused). The rights of an accused to take on the might of the state in defending himself are incompatible with the obligations of the Head of State to run the country properly, accountably and in a manner responsive to the needs of the people. It is quite intolerable for our state to proceed criminally against its own Head, a Head who is well placed to fund or not fund the prosecution, to influence decisions regarding the state’s stance in appeals and processes, personnel and procedures in the case. As Head of State you appoint the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP). This is akin to the Pirates’ goalkeeper nominating a Pirates’ player to take the last shot for the Chiefs in a penalty shoot out in the cup final. Although your candidacy may well be an own goal for the ANC, you must withdraw it now for the sake of our constitutional order. The NPA currently has 18 charges pending against you, many of which were laid for the first time at the end of December 2007. If you do not stand trial on these charges a pall of suspicion will hang over every move you make and every decision you take in the future. You may have noticed that in mature democracies, unresolved allegations of impropriety send politicians into early, and sometimes temporary, retirement. Yet, you have chosen to pursue your political career (and presidential ambitions), despite the fact that you have not publicly dealt with the serious and varied allegations the prosecution thinks it can prove against you in a court of law. Your trial must go ahead. Once the criminal proceedings are finally over, you can re-enter the world of politics, unless any sentence imposed precludes you from doing so. However, until then, you are trying to play for both sides at the same time. You can’t. Nobody can. It’s illegal and irrational. Any vote in Parliament in favour of your election as President is open to legal challenge on the basis that it would be invalid for want of consistency with the Constitution. It is also politically and morally indefensible to persist in your candidacy under current circumstances. Presidents have to work in the political world of perceptions as well as the legal world of facts and rules. And so you must do the right thing and step aside until your innocence is proven in a court of law. It is not feasible for you to run the country from the dock in Pietermaritzburg. So, in the interests of our country and its Constitution, which you now say you revere as the supreme law, stand back from politics until the criminal case is properly finalised. Yours sincerely Helen Zille Leader of the Democratic Alliance Back to top >>   Volunteer Contribute to change Donate Help build a secure, prosperous future for all Sign Up Stay informed, subscribe to our newsletters Contact Us Share your views with us     Links DA website Stay informed; get involved Shedding Light On load shedding and other energy matters Real ANC Today A critical analysis of the ruling party Eye on Crime Our crime blog   Find us on Facebook: Become a fan of Helen Zille Democratic Alliance DA Facebook Group Helen Zille for President Facebook Group   Follow Helen Zille on TWITTER!

 

A bit of this and a bit of that

Well its weekend again and I will be meeting some more family members of Derek.

The current ruling party the ANC has definitely failed the people as so many of their own members have migrated to the COPE party.

Now even more corruption has been uncovered by one of their own Carl Nihause but he is innocent until proven guilty, that is the great thing about our constitution.

I am sure that the ANC hold on power and the majority mp’s in parliament will come to an end next year, currently the have the power to change the constitution and sign into law many things just by share majority of votes they hold.

South Africa is due for a political climate change and I hope we are not going to have bloodshed via the various factions that war against each other.

It seems the ANC is almost in a self destruct mode at the moment with the entire on goings within the party itself.

It’s really sad to see what is happening to the ANC which was supposed to be the hope of the country.

Now, its time for change and we will just have to see what prevails at the elections and after.

We as South Africans live in the land of the free with the best constitution in the world brought into existence by the ANC and other parties, together without prejudice.

As you know I rarely make political comments but its time that I did.

Let us hope that after the elections we have a change for all South Africans and a bright future.

Besides the politics, life has been great this week, been hard at work. Its less than 22 days to go now before Derek and I are married and my heart is pounding in excitement knowing that the event draws nearer.

We have to take responsibility for our actions in life and when we recover from the ills that may befall us, rise from the ashes with strength and wisdom that we may in return share the coping mechanisms with others that they may overcome what befalls them.

We have to treat everyone with dignity, love and respect in all things. Spend time and listen and learn.

I have said the greatest gift is wisdom many times and I live by that.

Although I have been through the school of life I am still the student and will remain so for the rest of my life.

It’s the greatest honour and privilege to be able to live with HIV and integrate into my lifestyle and shine in the darkest hour.

Been there for those in need and taking them by the hand and pulling them out of the sandpit of life.

Don’t turn your back on anyone who is in need, but extend your hand in help that the one that you have helped may do the same.

Sometimes its better to sit, stand and then walk the path of life.

May you all have a blessed weekend and I hope that I have brought some joy to you today.

Live healthy and live life

Mark Farrell

Valentines Day 14th Of February 2009

I would like to share this moment with you. From the first day I met Derek my fiancé, I was in love with him.

Now two and a bit years later and 22 days before we are married I still have that passion and in love feeling I had when I first laid eyes on him.

We where nearly killed in a serious car crash last year and went through many trials and tribulations and through all of that I still wake up every morning and see the same fire of love as at the first moment we met.

I would have thought by now that the “falling in love bit” would have calmed down by now, but yet it grows stronger every day.

We live and work together and compliment each other in so many ways and both of us are honesty with each other about everything.

If the one does something the other does not like, we both make it none and that’s that.

Derek knows me so well like I he, that we read each other so well, and I mean right into the inner sanctum of each other.

Just by his presence I can tell his deepest feelings. (depressed, happy ect)

We respect each other’s views and beliefs and believe me we have many differences' and common ground that we share.

We are not scared to bare each other’s pain and agony but to embrace what is at hand and make the best of it.

My dear friends, life is too short to waste.

I have accepted HIV as part of our lives and we have not allowed it to rule our lives but to enhance it.

So, share Valentines day with me with the one that you love and live life.

Regards,

Mark

Just an update on our garden

We worked for the last two days on our garden. Its important to have fresh herbs and vegetables at all times.

Derek has taught me so much about eating healthy and living with HIV for the past 20yrs has proven to eat healthy and take your meds makes the world of difference.

To all my friends out there that are HIV+, its cheap and easy to set up your own garden if you have the available ground.

But you can also grow herbs in pot containers of all sizes and have vegetables as well.

I have seen so many communities build their own hot houses or gardens which supplements those who need fresh herbs and vegetables.

I love you all and  hope that my garden can be an inspiration to you all.

Love Mark

 

 

Hope

Never surrender yourself to any storm that may come your way.

Use your inner strength to ride out the storm and gain wisdom and coping mechanisms so that when the storm approaches again you will know what to do.

Life is full of storms and sunny days, we have to take each situation and learn and implement a plan to overcome and be victorious.

I speak from years of experience through the wonderful journey of life which I have encountered many situations and have had to learn how to cope and overcome what comes one’s way.

In the beginning we are ignorant and as we progress and grow with wisdom we become achievers and accomplishers.

I want you to live your life to the fullest even though you may be HIV+ and some with full blown AIDS. Don’t through in the towel.

Change your lifestyle and mindset and say that I am a over comer and I will rise above it all.

There is only one you and each time you look into the mirror remember that you are a survivor.

I am always available to all if you want to email me or just chat about been HIV+ feel free to contact me either via email or the contact consoles on my blog.

My passion for life comes from within, and that is never to surrender but learn, listen and grow with wisdom.

Be humble, gentle but yet firm, don’t let anyone walk over your rights!

Please feel free to comment on my blog, you have the freedom of speech.

But, please no hate speech of any kind!

Let us stand together in solidarity against HIV+ and AIDS and make the world a better place

Love

Mark Farrell

The Rose Of Life The Journey Living With HIV

Some art I would like to share with you

View Full Album

Live life to the fullest

Live life to the fullest and hold what is dear to you close to your heart,

don’t waiver from your integrity and inner self, but be strong in all that you do and take every storm that comes your way with strength and become victorious in all the things that you do.

Weekly Update

Well this last week has been interesting and I must learn to focus on my accounting part of my job and get things done, no matter how distracted I become as I handle, customer service, IT technical, accounts, GIS mapping and all data enq and of course I have to answer up to two calls at the same time and that does not include my mobile phone which is for after hours calls.

So I work under pressure all the time to achieve our goals at work. Its a challenge and I am constantly working on my weaknesses every day.

Last week we sent out the wedding invitations and now awaiting confirmation RSVP’S

Our honeymoon suite has been booked and all is on track for the big day.

Our passports at hand for our honeymoon which we cant afford right now and will have to save up and when we have enough money then we will go on a trip.

The future looks great for the both of us and I live life to the fullest.

To get to the point where I am now at, has taken a long time and a journey of life with all the negative and positive actions that come.

But, through all of this I have persevered and have stood firm.

I have to thank two very close friends Peter & Jerome and of course my fiancé Derek whom have stood by me through thick and thin.

I can’t emphasise the importance of getting to know your partner from the inside out before taking the step to marriage.

By the time you tie the knot you would have been through all the up’s and down’s in the relationship and be prepared to move on to marriage.

Only together can you make things work, through respect and unconditional love and understanding

Not withholding any secrets from each other but been transparent and honest.

Nothing has been easy and the road has been difficult but together through wisdom we have overcome.

My friends if we can weather the storms so can you!

HIV is not the end, you can change and make it a begging of a great journey!

I love you all and god bless

Mark Farrell

At last I have my motor car learners licence

Today at 10.30am I wrote my motor car learners licence and passed! This was the second time around. I was so happy I almost cried, this may seem simple to some but it meant so much for me.

I could not fail again the last time was due to a misunderstanding and this time I was sure that I was going to pass and I did.

My goal was to have my learners licence before we got married and heh I did it. Yipee!!!!!

At last in the near future I will be a driver with a licence and I will be able to drive around and see my clients and also if something had to happen to Derek, at least I can drive.

It’s a huge mile stone for me and I am over the moon. I just had to share this with you all, its just to important not to share.

Have a great day

Anticipation

What a week it has been, sending wedding invitations and awaiting RSVP’s.

I am still excited and can’t wait for the big day as it draws nearer each day.

Its the anticipation of the moment that is to come that will change my life forever in more than many ways.

The past two decades of life for me has been a struggle with so many things and now at last things are coming together

Its been worth all the trials, tribulations and all the storms that I have encountered on my journey of life.

Marriage means so much to me and the commitment that comes along with the responsibility.

To those whom have known me over the years, you can know see that no matter what I have been through I have not been victorious for myself but that the coping mechanism gained can empower those who are or may have been in a similar situations that I was once in.

Please don’t give up the fight, no matter how ill you are, life is worth the living and if you need someone to talk to or email, I am always there as my partner is too.

One day, I will publish my book, not for myself but for all those affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.

Never surrender, never say die!

Life is too precious.

I will update soon

Mark Farrell