HER DREAM CAREER WAS TO BECOME A NATURE CONSERVATIONIST.

When Vanessa matriculated, she wanted to follow a career path in nature conservation as a Game Warden in the heart of Africa's wild. She is a nature girl at heart & is always looking for safari adventures, 4x4 trails in nature reserves or swimming the majestic ocean waves of Africa.

At home she uses "psycho lingo" on her animals, especially her dogs as she speaks to them without having to say a word or at least that is how it feels when you watch her do it. She will look at her dog called "Ice" (her blue eyed cross Border Collie/English Shepherd/Wolf') & command her to sit without speaking & Ice will sit - that is really freaky. Or you will often hear her children talking about their horse riding adventure where their mother normally stands to silently identify which horse will choose her as its rider. This one particular time the biggest Thoroughbred stallion chose her but the horse attendant decided that was not not going to happen & got another rider to ride it. Well, that was a hilarious disaster, because where ever she went, the stallion bumped everyone out of the way to get to her. He would not leave her side, finally after the ride, they got a chance to actually meet as their mother gently hugged the stallion & calmed him down.

When asked why she never followed her career as a Nature Conservationist she replied; "After I matriculated, I called the universities to apply to study Nature Conservation, I was told that I could never become one because I was female & the African staff, specifically the men, would not listen to me." Her heart tugs at her every time she talks about it.... But she has found her second passion in Fashion Design & loves every moment of it! She even uses her gift of reading others when she works with her clients.

As a nature conservation officer Vanessa would have to work to protect, manage and enhance the local environment. This can include grassland, woodland, forests, coastal areas, moorland, mountains and rivers. Depending on the region, she might also have to work in marine habitats. Today our conservationists have carry weapons to fend off poachers from attacking the animals & themselves. I think she would have become the "007" of Africa if she became one.

One of her fondest memories about her wild adventures, is when she & her family went bundu-bashing with her friends Vicky & husband, Chris, who is a skilled nature conservationist. They did it all that day, from seeing the big five - up close, to walking with a lion called Chaube, to playing with Elephants in the bush, to catching photo's with a wild Cheetah called Savanah on her friends game farm called Tshukudu in Hoedspruit, South Africa.

Vanessa often teases her family by saying that she LOVES ANIMALS & winks, cause they know that she is not only talking about the 2-legged ones roaming around in her home.

This animal test from Facebook is so true about Vanessa Fanfoni, she was born to push boundaries - of her own & others she knows. She comments; "My husband & I always debate how animals live in nature i.r.o. the hunter vs. hunted scenario. You can learn a lot by watching them. This concept has taught me to broaden my own boundaries in work & private life."

Vanessa's tip of the day;

"If you don't hunt for your meal, you won't get it & you may just become the "hunted!"