New Year Resolutions - Week 06 Achievements & Failures in 2023 #TheLifesWay

Hi Guys, 

The more you write or tell your story the more people are going to read it or follow it. I am also doing the same via these weekly posts where I tell the amount of time spent on web series binge-watching or doing something interesting also. I am feeling more and more in love with my own feelings or rather I am now much closer to my heart as I can see the effects of anything happening around me or the world and can feel the pain and empathy etc. Will I do something about it or just let it pass is a choice that I will keep for myself to decide via the brain cells kicking in at the right time? 

1. Google Maps - Local Guides is a community-based programme run by Google to enhance the experience of Google Maps users. Whenever you go and visit any location, you can write a review about the same on the Google Maps page and post some photos and videos so that the next person searching for the location can have some information before actually visiting the place. I reached the Top Level 10 on the same on 10-Feb-2023 after enrolling in the programme around 6 years back or so. I have not received any gift from Google during the course of my photo sharing across this platform but I am happy that I did it. I am in the Top 1% of Johannesburg Local Guides and 10% globally. Slowly and steadily, I will try to become the Top 1% at global levels as well. 

2. Thank You - I started from the last week's count to reach 42000 where the counter drops back to zero. Then again I take it to reach the 8000 mark by the end of the week. The total count is now 141500. 

3. Entertainment - I watched the most illogical movie The Menu this week. There was nothing to enjoy in this movie. Totally time waste or negligible. I started watching FARZI Season 1 which I loved watching but didn't expect that it will reach the most viewed series on Amazon Prime. Since Kabir Singh, Shahid Kapoor has a dejected way to stand and the same is also showcased here and in other movies also. I don't like the use of the same again and again and I am definitely biased. I have to check his earlier movies if he has the same hand style in Jab We Met, Ishq Vishq or Dil Bole Hadiappa etc. 

4. The Life's Way - First Car Review - I was grateful to Suzuki Motors South Africa for sending their Vitara Brezza for the upcoming Valentine's Day and my 15th Marriage Anniversary as well. I took the same around the city and totally loved the pleasure of having a second car in a household. My wife can take my car to the office instead of doing an Uber or Bolt. I can then drop the kids to school and they also loved this dual-coloured car. The average that the car gave is around 15-16 km per litre of petrol and the mini-SUV body felt comfortable for long rides as well. We went to Hartbeespoort with the whole family in this nice car while enjoying the rain along with our marriage anniversary. I went gaga over the same as you will see in my Instagram posts. Thanks, Suzuki. 

5. Launch Event - I went to the CHOC event that was held at Sandton Sun Towers and Sky Deck. I loved the joy they are bringing on the faces of children suffering from Cancer and other diseases. It's an uphill climb all the time with these diseases but your support can help the organisation to reach more and more children and help their families as well. 

I also received the Cooler Master Goodies in a contest I won on Instagram. This is a massive package as you will see in the video underneath. I went to their Sandton Experience centre to pick up my goodies and it was lovely to see all the products on display there. You should definitely visit the same to experience the gaming products and setup. 

I think this is a lot of stuff to do in a single week and I feel grateful that I could do it. The clarity of thoughts and getting in touch with your own emotions is the best thing I learned from doing the Yoga starting 1-Feb-23. I am feeling stretched as this is the only exercise I have done in years to the upper body and many parts which were lying dormant. I have only done 1000km walking last year but that was it. This year walking is taking a backstage as I venture into the Yoga exercises. 

Till next time...Aashish Thanks you Cheers!!!

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A Memoir - This Month Last Year - May 2021 www.thelifesway.com #TheLifesWay

Hi Friends,

May 2021 was the time when the lockdown opened for a little while and a lot of virtual and in-person events started to happen. The first one I attended was the one for High Tea at Hype Park Corner where I also got my first Le Creuset mug as well. I won the various contests on Facebook for LG FN7 earbuds to Instax Superfan Contest on Mother's Day and on Twitter as well which kept me motivated during 2021. I was invited to the AC DC Express store and got some goodies there as well. I also got nice goodies from Huawei for the 947 Joburg Day too.

1. 3 Million Pageviews on www.thelifesway.com #TheLifesWay - It takes time to build up your following and pageviews on your blog. I am in my 10th year of The Life's Way and I am sure I am going to reach 4 Million by 27th December 2022 when it will be time to cut the cake of 10 Years of The Life's Way. I may have not earned anything from The Life's Way in terms of actual currency but in the notional currency terms, I have earned a lot. But does notional value brings food to the table - Definitely NO! Currently, I am hanging around 3.69 Million and the flow has been slower as I am more focussed on my Youtube channel. Will it be possible to do the 0.31 million page views in the next 6 months only time will tell?

2. A Memoir - This Month Last Year - May 2020 www.thelifesway.com #TheLifesWay - I did a lot of posts in the previous year during the first lockdown. This post reviews all the ones I did during those days. You will find a lot of links to those posts and can enjoy the same.

3. A Memoir - This Month Last Year - Apr 2020 www.thelifesway.com #TheLifesWay - The photo posts continued which were also shared on Google Connect Local Guides channel as well. It did fetch me a lot of support from the Local Guides community too. It made me take my number of posts on Google's platform to around 100 or so in a small amount of time.

4. A Memoir - This Month Last Year - Mar 2020 www.thelifesway.com #TheLifesWay - I started reviewing a lot of products as well as photo posts from various locations around the world. I did a lot of posts for Dubai based on all the locations I visited during my trip in 2020. Dubai trip I really loved as I found it to be an amazing city worth living but you need to be earning in Dirham's as compared to going and spending there in some other currency, especially ZAR.

5. A Memoir - This Month Last Year - Feb 2020 www.thelifesway.com #TheLifesWay - Feb 2020 was still the time when I was travelling back from India and UAE. I totally loved the same with my family. It was a fun time but also my onsite deputation ended leaving me hanging on the African shores with Indian income which was really trying but thanks to the job of my wife, we could carry on with our savings and the same lasted for around 10 months. Always you should have a savings balance which can last you a year long. Lesson Learned.

I watched a lot of web series during this time from Tripling Season 2 to Superman and Lois Season 1 to Lupin Season 1 to Permanent Roommates Season 1 to The Last Hour to Pati Patni Aur Panga to Runaway Lugai to November Story to Radhe movie to Sardar ka Grandson to Road of the Lions to LOL Hasee to Phasse to Wrath of Man to Tom Clancy Total Remorse and so much more in a single month.

Cheers!!!

Contact me at thelifesway@gmail.com to collaborate on your services and products. Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay #10YearsofTheLifesWay. Namaste!

Explore the City of Gold #Johannesburg @HuaweiZA #HuaweiMate40Pro Smartphone Camera

Hi Friends, 

Johannesburg was established in 1886 following the discovery of gold. It is now South Africa’s commercial, financial, industrial, and cultural hub and the biggest city in South Africa. These are just a few reasons why you should take time to explore the city of Johannesburg any weekend or weekday and photograph some of the amazing spaces this place has to offer. Tourism is open for business again and it’s good to show our support; just ensure you wear your mask at all times, keep your distance, and bring your hand sanitiser.

Here are four places you can explore in Jozi today - 

1. Take vibrant wide-angle shots with Lebo's Soweto Backpackers

This celebrated establishment was one of the pioneering tourism businesses in Soweto to revolutionise what 'township tourism' could mean in South Africa. The best way to explore Soweto is by taking a cycling, walking or Tuk Tuk tour and Lebo’s offers two-hour, half-day or full-day options. The routes include visits to places of historic and cultural interest such as Vilakazi Street, with the Nelson Mandela House Museum and the Hector Pieterson Museum; the men's migrant workers hostels; churches; and local community meeting places where you can experience traditional African customs such as home-brewed beer and vetkoeks (fat cakes), and mingle with the community.

What started off as a small backpacker’s hostel in a family home has expanded over the years into a thriving business that employs dozens of locals. This backpackers has a very vibrant ambience and the staff are well versed in the history of Soweto, which you can experience during the township tour. You can capture wide-angle shots of the streets of Soweto during your Tuk Tuk tour, especially on Vilakazi Street, where you’ll often find street performers entertaining tourists and stalls with local trinkets on the sidewalks.

2. Dive into the detail at Constitutional Hill

This former prison and the military fort is another place to learn about South Africa’s journey to democracy. During its 100-year history, this precinct confined tens of thousands of men and women of all races, creeds, ages, social status and political agendas, including Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Albertina Sisulu and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

You can spend an average of two hours exploring the different parts of the old forts, including a section for male prisoners known as Number Four, a women’s jail, an awaiting-for-trial block and South Africa’s highest court, the Constitutional Court. Many concerts and big events like AFROPunk Johannesburg have been held here as a representation of freedom and also a remembrance of years past. If you’re looking to capture memorable moments at Con Hill, then you’ll most likely take close-up shots for more detailed depictions of the cells and other parts of the space.

3. Get moody with lighting in Maboneng Precinct

The Maboneng Precinct is one of the coolest neighbourhoods in South Africa and one could even say in the world. A no-go zone until the end of Apartheid in 1994, Johannesburg’s Maboneng has since transformed into a lively urban area with blossoming art and culinary scenes.

What makes Maboneng so captivating is the vibrant and unique characters on its streets, buildings and restaurants and the people who come to enjoy its fine art galleries and museums, markets, lively rooftop bars and amazing parties. You can also experience some of the best sunsets on the many rooftops in this part of the city and enjoy a few drinks and local food at the bars and restaurants such as Patta Patta. Because of Maboneng’s varied aesthetic, you will want to capture moody pictures by playing around with the camera shutter speed and lighting for your pictures, which is very common in street photography.

4. Capture slow-mo at Gold Reef City

This family-friendly attraction situated just eight kilometres from the city centre features thrilling theme park rides and historical exhibits. The attraction hosts reproductions of buildings and businesses that represent the history of South Africa, particularly in the mining sector.

Additionally, you can tour a disused shaft of the Crown Mines, one of the richest gold mines in the world. The park also offers dedicated rides suitable for the whole family, as well as a petting zoo and other games. Gold Reef City is perfect for capturing motion pictures as well as slow-mo video angles with all of the twists and turns of the rides and animated faces of people enjoying themselves.

With the many nooks and crannies, Joburg has to offer, you’ll want to make sure you have the very best smartphone camera to capture all these treasures. The HUAWEI Mate40 Pro will give you instagram-worthy pics to keep you posting for many more months to come.

Bring your new HUAWEI Mate40 Pro with you to take beautiful photos of all the amazing spaces the city has to offer while putting the device’s cameras through their paces. These include the ultra-wide-angle camera and Swing Gesture Sensor, 240fps slow-motion video capture, which is now available on the front camera and supports 4K video capture, and the 50 MP Super Sensing Wide Camera.

Buy the HUAWEI Mate40 Pro before 30 April for just R19,999 on the Huawei Store (Online) and receive a complimentary bundle consisting of HUAWEI FreeBuds 3, a HUAWEI Wireless Charger CP60 and the HUAWEI VIP Service, all valued at R5,697. Stock are limited. Ts and Cs apply.

Cheers!!!

Support me if you like reading this blog post by buying me a cup of tea or coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheLifesWay Contact at thelifesway@gmail.com to collaborate and promote your services and products. Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for giveaways, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay #9YearsofTheLifesWay. Namaste!

#TheLifesWay on @GoogleMaps #MyYearInReview 2020 @GoogleAfrica #LocalGuides #LetsGuide

Hi Friends, 

We all are so heavily invested in Google's ecosystem that sometimes we also start contributing towards the same knowingly and unknowingly to appreciate the benefits everyone derives from the various platforms they run. I too started my journey as a Local Guides which is a voluntary program for contributing to Google Maps around the world and I am representing Johannesburg, South Africa from the start. 

If I see where I was in 2019 to the place where I am now on Google Maps Local Guides journey it's absolutely amazing. This year I started contributing to the Local Guide Community platform too and reached several milestones there too. I reached Level 9 Contributor level this year from last year's Level 8. Overall I made 5793 contributions as a whole on the platform and successfully contributed for 27 weeks in a row. That's an awesome achievement by someone who is not regular on any platforms whatsoever. 

I got more than 3 Million views on the photos published this year but overall in 2020, I have crossed 26 Million photo views which were just over 1.4 Million in 2019. That's around 25 Million photo views in a single year on all the 10550 photos uploaded since I have joined the program. 

I also got 5813 views on the reviews published this year with an overall tally crossing 186000 views in 2020 for reviewing 204 establishments around the city and country. I wanted to take the same to 500 reviews but felt lazy and was focussing more on the Youtube channel also. 

The biggest feeling is to stay in the Top 1% contributor in Johannesburg, South Africa month after month for the whole year and I am looking forward to reaching the Top Level 10 contributor by 2022 and be part of the Connect Live Program in 2021 if luck favours me and Google sees my contribution in South Africa. 

I am a big fan of the Google Android Ecosystem and started my smartphone journey with Google G1 and then Nexus One smartphone but now I really want to use the latest Pixel 5 device as my day to day smartphone. I will continue to contribute to Google Maps and create more lists, write more posts on Connect Local Guides platforms, review more establishments and restaurants towards reaching a place where I shall feel satisfied with myself. Thanks to Google for making us part of them and giving us a platform where we are contributing to our city and country and building a local community too. 

This I am doing from a feeling of love and respect point of view for the Google ecosystem and I am sure, you will also want to become part of this amazing program called Local Guides! So don't forget to login into Google Maps and start contributing from wherever you are in this world! #LetsGuide #LocalGuides

@TheLifesWay contributions as of 15th December 2020

Cheers!!!

Support me if you like reading this blog post by buying me a cup of tea or coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheLifesWay Contact at thelifesway@gmail.com to collaborate and promote your services and products. Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for giveaways, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay #9YearsofTheLifesWay. Namaste!

Triumphal Arch on Hartbeespoort Dam #PhotoYatra #TheLifesWayCaptures

Hi Friends, 

Harbeespoort is a small resort town 60 km away from Johannesburg and it is a perfect spot to rest before continuing your journey to Sun City else this town is sufficient for your picnic or day visit needs. The place is known for Harbeespoort Dam and I am taking you to another end of the tunnel which you won't see if you are crossing for Sun City. To reach this place you need to follow a certain route and you will see this grand Triumphal Arch on Hartbeespoort Dam Wall. 

This is the only kind of Arch I have seen in the whole of South Africa if there are more I am totally missing them. Europe and the UK are filled with these kinds of monuments all across their cities. 

This place is kind of touch and go type as there is very limited parking after crossing the bridge and you have to walk back to see this monument.

Reaching this place is awesome as you drive around the dam and then cross a dark tunnel where the sound echoes and people generally honk their horns to enjoy the moment. 

This place is basically a Dam that supplies water to Johannesburg and nearby areas and extra water is released in this Magaliesberg mountains. 

This end is filled with a lot of broken branches collected at one end, plastic bottles and polythenes were thrown by people who do picnics and braai (Barbeque) around the dam at various picnic spots. We do need to take care of stuff by being responsible citizens and throw stuff in the right and marked bins. 

This is the lamp post and what beauty it is and people do put a lot of locks on the same, I don't know why? They may be doing it to mark their love which might change in some years but the lock will always remain at Hartbeespoort Dam wall. 

If you see far in the middle of the photo is the other end of the Dam and I will do post the photos from the other end in another post. If you have one day, you can easily visit Sun City and stay for a while and see Hartbeespoort as it offers a great relaxation spot and has some great cafes and bistro. All the photos are taken using Nikon D7000 at Hartbeespoort Dam Wall.  

Namaste!!!

Contact Aashish Rai Jain at thelifesway@gmail.com or editor@thelifesway.com to send your products, launch event invites, and services to be consumed. #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra #7YearsofTheLifesWay. Follow me on www.instagram.com/thelifesway for all travel-related photo posts. Namaste!