I am at the end of this insane adventure year... What do I do now?
How do I begin to process what has happened to me this year, in the past 13 months?
How do I begin to figure out the ways I've changed and why and how?
How to I make these memories of the most incredible year of my life last forever?
How do I say good-bye?
How do I say hello again, to what I left behind a year ago?
What if what I left behind no longer fits me?
My heart is aching for just one more adventure, just a little more time to soak in everything wonderful here.
These last days must be filled with love and happiness, for what I had here and this year and for what I am going home to. For although I am leaving this place and these people and these experiences, I am about to go home to that place and those people who I left behind so long ago, back when I was who I used to be.
I have changed so much this year. I have lived and laughed and cried and been broken, been healed and put back together, walked and run, and slept and ate, loved and been loved. I have met people who have changed my life forever. How can I incorporate all of that into my life back home. I am not the same and nor shall my life back home be the same when I return.
This will certainly be another adventure. One that I have never been more nervous for. And one that I am quite excited to embark on :)
4.3.10
[something goes here]
The farther along in this journey I get, the more I look back and realize what a journey it is and how far I've come and how far I've still yet to go.
My life is a constant adventure and experiment. The thought of going home in a few months, to stay for a while, leaves me with a bit of sadness that my "crazy year" is drawing to a close. Have I done all I was meant to? Am I the person I should be? Have I changed enough? Have I learned enough? Have I loved enough? Have I lived enough?
Here's what's happened to me thus far:
I lived in my first intentional living community.
I learned of my passion for the city streets and the ways you meet God there.
I learned ways to live out my faith.
I learned how to love someone without having to like them.
I pray out loud with my whole heart, even though I know it's not perfect and all that it could be.
I have several new families whom I love very much.
I lived outside my comfort zone for essentially this entire year.
I lived in 3 very unique, very diverse, very special, and very different than my own, cultures this year.
I prayed to and praised God for blessings and burdens this year.
I laughed until I cried.
I wept until I couldn't breathe.
I learned to communicate in new ways.
I fell in love.
I learned how to build relationships with people.
I became a bit wiser.
I was mugged.
I traveled alone and spent time by myself and survived in a foreign country.
I lived out what I've been passionate about for so long.
I became lost.
I had my heart broken.
I learned what friendship is.
I learned a little Kiswahili.
I tried new things like nobody's business.
I survived the year as a vegetarian.
I lost old friendships and made new ones.
I learned and lived the true meaning of being 'burnt-out.'
I understand things better.
I understand the world better.
I have written and received letters from all over the world.
I learned that true happiness comes from feeling deep sadness and that vast emptiness comes from incredible joy-and that those two things are dependent upon one another.
I learned what it means to give of yourself unto others.
I learned the meaning of love.
I learned that I do want to get married and have children one day (in the very distant future).
I learned the importance of intentional living.
I learned which things are truly important to me and for me to have in my life.
I changed.
I no longer know who I am, exactly.
I am learning to live with the fear that brings.
I am ready to go home, but not ready for the adventure to end or to return to my old life.
I am afraid that nothing will have changed as I have.
I.... have been through so much.
My life is a constant adventure and experiment. The thought of going home in a few months, to stay for a while, leaves me with a bit of sadness that my "crazy year" is drawing to a close. Have I done all I was meant to? Am I the person I should be? Have I changed enough? Have I learned enough? Have I loved enough? Have I lived enough?
Here's what's happened to me thus far:
I lived in my first intentional living community.
I learned of my passion for the city streets and the ways you meet God there.
I learned ways to live out my faith.
I learned how to love someone without having to like them.
I pray out loud with my whole heart, even though I know it's not perfect and all that it could be.
I have several new families whom I love very much.
I lived outside my comfort zone for essentially this entire year.
I lived in 3 very unique, very diverse, very special, and very different than my own, cultures this year.
I prayed to and praised God for blessings and burdens this year.
I laughed until I cried.
I wept until I couldn't breathe.
I learned to communicate in new ways.
I fell in love.
I learned how to build relationships with people.
I became a bit wiser.
I was mugged.
I traveled alone and spent time by myself and survived in a foreign country.
I lived out what I've been passionate about for so long.
I became lost.
I had my heart broken.
I learned what friendship is.
I learned a little Kiswahili.
I tried new things like nobody's business.
I survived the year as a vegetarian.
I lost old friendships and made new ones.
I learned and lived the true meaning of being 'burnt-out.'
I understand things better.
I understand the world better.
I have written and received letters from all over the world.
I learned that true happiness comes from feeling deep sadness and that vast emptiness comes from incredible joy-and that those two things are dependent upon one another.
I learned what it means to give of yourself unto others.
I learned the meaning of love.
I learned that I do want to get married and have children one day (in the very distant future).
I learned the importance of intentional living.
I learned which things are truly important to me and for me to have in my life.
I changed.
I no longer know who I am, exactly.
I am learning to live with the fear that brings.
I am ready to go home, but not ready for the adventure to end or to return to my old life.
I am afraid that nothing will have changed as I have.
I.... have been through so much.
8.2.10
Surfing in the R.S.A.! [Republic of South Africa]
Knarley.
I went surfing this morning. The internet guy who came to set up our computers offered to Megan, Katie, Maggie, and I out. He has some extra boards and so this morning was my first time surfing! Megan and Maggie went this weekend with him while I was at the elephant park...
It was so much fun! He basically strapped my board to my ankle and sent me out there and told me to learn to sit on my board. And, after about an hour and a half of getting up and flipping over or falling off, I finally got it! I can now sit on the surfboard in the water, calm or waves, and have my center of gravity which helps when you actually want to stand up :) I then rode a few waves (with the help of the guy who took us) all the way to shore and that was FUN! I can't wait to go again... By the end of this trip I'll be a pro. Don't even worry about it.
Dude.
I went surfing this morning. The internet guy who came to set up our computers offered to Megan, Katie, Maggie, and I out. He has some extra boards and so this morning was my first time surfing! Megan and Maggie went this weekend with him while I was at the elephant park...
It was so much fun! He basically strapped my board to my ankle and sent me out there and told me to learn to sit on my board. And, after about an hour and a half of getting up and flipping over or falling off, I finally got it! I can now sit on the surfboard in the water, calm or waves, and have my center of gravity which helps when you actually want to stand up :) I then rode a few waves (with the help of the guy who took us) all the way to shore and that was FUN! I can't wait to go again... By the end of this trip I'll be a pro. Don't even worry about it.
Dude.
7.2.10
Addo Elephant Park
The day began around 5:00 am where I received a knock on my window from Megan (while I was still in my underwear) telling me that she, Katie, and Gjiro wouldn't be able to make it to the park that day because Katie and Gjiro were mugged the night before and although they were completely fine, weren't quite up to going to the park. Thus Haley, Marco, Daniel, and I all piled into a cab at 6 am and drove to the airport where we waited for an hour for the car rental places to open (we were told they opened at 6...). We then priced the different cars and ended up finding a great deal for an entire day R256 and 200km of driving free before you had to pay mileage. Not bad. I did not however, especially at that hour of the day, enjoy the man that worked there being sarcastic and joking with me... Grrr...
Finally we were in the car on our way. Marco was driving and didn't know any of the rules of the road here and had never driven on this side before so I sat in the front to key him in. Haley and Daniel made up the laughing audience in the back and I swear we almost died more than once trying to get out of the city.
When we got out past the townships, Marco and I switched and I drove and refreshed my memory on how to drive a manual. I did quite well! And I had tons of fun. It was great to just zoom along the beautiful countryside here and relax in the sunshine with the window down. Haven't done that in forever... :)
We got the park, got in for only R30 (about $4 USD) and then we were off. The first animal we saw was a cute little tortoise on the side of the road, then a yellow mongoose. We saw hartebeests, kudus, warthogs, ostriches, and, of course, elephants during the day. We mostly drove through the beautiful scenery and enjoyed the breathtaking views and the sunshine. Got some amazing pictures. In one instance, we saw some elephants down this rough road which had a "do not enter" sign that we conveniently didn't see and they were walking down it towards us on the main road and so we did what normal college students would do and took it and drove down to just in front of them, turned ourselves around so we could make a quick getaway if needed and watched them walk closer and closer to us. They got about 10 feet away from us before we gunned it out of there-not because it was angry or charging us but because we didn't want it to like step on the car haha... It was amazing!
We ended the day on the banks of the Sunday river. Haley and Marco went swimming and climbed some sand dunes and Daniel and I sat on the dock and basked in the sun with some beers. It was so relaxing! When Hales and Marco got back, we all took a spontaneous nap on the dock which left my cheeks and nose a bit rosy and burnt :) Totally worth it. After we woke up from some knurly waves crashing into our dock, we decided to head home as some clouds had rolled in. We piled back in the car, drove home, dropped off the car, and took a taxi back to our place.
I then jumped in the shower, got dressed and a group of us went out to dinner where I had butternut squash ravioli (so good) and my favorite cocktail :) It was great to have a big group-all talking and laughing. I enjoy the people here so much!
Thus the day was great. It was nice to have the freedom that comes with having a car that I've been missing while in Kenya and since being here. It was incredible to feel the sun on my face all day and the wind in my hair and be with people who made me laugh. To be in such a beautiful place and to see such wonders. It's really incredible how blessed I am!
More later :)
Finally we were in the car on our way. Marco was driving and didn't know any of the rules of the road here and had never driven on this side before so I sat in the front to key him in. Haley and Daniel made up the laughing audience in the back and I swear we almost died more than once trying to get out of the city.
When we got out past the townships, Marco and I switched and I drove and refreshed my memory on how to drive a manual. I did quite well! And I had tons of fun. It was great to just zoom along the beautiful countryside here and relax in the sunshine with the window down. Haven't done that in forever... :)
We got the park, got in for only R30 (about $4 USD) and then we were off. The first animal we saw was a cute little tortoise on the side of the road, then a yellow mongoose. We saw hartebeests, kudus, warthogs, ostriches, and, of course, elephants during the day. We mostly drove through the beautiful scenery and enjoyed the breathtaking views and the sunshine. Got some amazing pictures. In one instance, we saw some elephants down this rough road which had a "do not enter" sign that we conveniently didn't see and they were walking down it towards us on the main road and so we did what normal college students would do and took it and drove down to just in front of them, turned ourselves around so we could make a quick getaway if needed and watched them walk closer and closer to us. They got about 10 feet away from us before we gunned it out of there-not because it was angry or charging us but because we didn't want it to like step on the car haha... It was amazing!
We ended the day on the banks of the Sunday river. Haley and Marco went swimming and climbed some sand dunes and Daniel and I sat on the dock and basked in the sun with some beers. It was so relaxing! When Hales and Marco got back, we all took a spontaneous nap on the dock which left my cheeks and nose a bit rosy and burnt :) Totally worth it. After we woke up from some knurly waves crashing into our dock, we decided to head home as some clouds had rolled in. We piled back in the car, drove home, dropped off the car, and took a taxi back to our place.
I then jumped in the shower, got dressed and a group of us went out to dinner where I had butternut squash ravioli (so good) and my favorite cocktail :) It was great to have a big group-all talking and laughing. I enjoy the people here so much!
Thus the day was great. It was nice to have the freedom that comes with having a car that I've been missing while in Kenya and since being here. It was incredible to feel the sun on my face all day and the wind in my hair and be with people who made me laugh. To be in such a beautiful place and to see such wonders. It's really incredible how blessed I am!
More later :)
People[s]
I have so many new people in my life that consume my time, days, and thoughts-so strange that it happens so quickly isn't it? I have found that I have quite the family here-one that is eccentric and fun and one that I love very much.
Here are the newest additions to my life.
Maggie: Is my wonderful roommate that I love so much. She and I were on staff together as RAs last year at CSB and now we are sharing this lovely two bedroom flat with each other. She is hilarious and cute and quirky and we are doing quite well as roomies so far (at least I think so). She's considerate and fun and a great listener and I'm lucky to be living with her and to be sharing this amazing experience with her.
Haley: Another fellow CSB-er. She was one of my best friends back home and is here with me in South Africa, living in flat 12 with a wonderful Dutch student here for 4 years named Lim. She's a bit of a chill presence here which has been really great. She brings a different perspective which is refreshing and fun. She loves life and the sparkle in her eyes definitely gets rid of any doubt about it. :)
Hega and Stina: Our next-door neighbors. They are both from Norway. Hega is brunette and really smart and sweet in a way that you wouldn't expect considering the tribal symbol tattooed on her bicep. She's really helpful and has a go-getter attitude and great to go out with and laugh with. Stina is a short and blonde and looks like the toughest girl on the planet-a stern face and hard eyes. She's laid back and a bit quieter and plays the cool angle well. But she is so much fun and also not what you would expect. She's sweet and funny and sarcastic and has great one-liners.
Alex and Jake: Both are extremely tall boys from Iowa who love nothing more than to chill out and drink beer and to get "hella faded" as we coined the term. They're sweethearts though and are a lot of fun to hang with.
Megan: Also from Iowa and our third roommate. She's a bombshell redhead with gorgeous eyes and a laugh that could kill Satan. She's hilarious and is someone that can make me laugh like I haven't in a long time. She's a lot of fun and a great listener and I love being in the kitchen cooking with her. Although she's a bit awkward when she meets people (ahemapplejuiceahem) she's a great friend that I"m sure will last beyond South Africa.
Katie: The funniest little German girl. She is blonde and small and very very quiet-you can forget about her sometimes because she won't make a peep! And when she does speak, she's so softspoken and sweet and considerate that you have to melt when you see her. But then she does things like have a contra-man and you're just shocked and laughing because it's coming from the last person you thought it would. She's amazing and also Megan's roommate.
Jonny and Jane: Both are from Northern Ireland. They have the best accents and are so much fun and so interesting to talk to. Jonny has also been to Kenya twice so that's been fun to talk to him about and when I first met him, he was reading Irresistable Revolution by Shane Claiborne. Way cool guy and a lot of fun to hang out with. He sure did sweep me off my feet at South African jazz the other night! And Jane is funny. She's a short, curly-haired, pseudo-dark red head-almost a wine color hair. She smokes and looks super cute in skirts and long necklaces all the time and is a hoot to talk to. She's so much fun and gushes about gossip and boys and I love her to death already.
Patrick and the swedish boys: All from Sweden, they are impressed with the low prices of alcohol here and thus take full advantage all the time since apparently alcohol is so expensive in Sweden. Last night Patrick came home in a cab when I was outside with some other people in front of our place and we had to carry him inside.... He's also very sweet though and quite a deep person when he's not intoxicated or thinking about becoming intoxicated. The other Swedish guys are similar but not so bad and are easy on the eyes as well :)
Marco: He is a sweetheart blunt guy from Germany that is here to learn English so naturally, some of our conversations have been quite funny and memorable. I spend quite a lot of time with him talking about life, learning English and about Germany and walking arm in arm and laughing. He's very blunt and calls it like he sees it with no qualms or embarrassment. He makes me laugh extremely hard and some of his 'isms' have caught on around here and are now part of my normal vocabulary. Marco!
The California girls: Kelleigh, Jen, Beam, Loretta, Alena, Ashley... All from different places around CA and stick together pretty well but are great about branching out and getting to know other people. They are all gorgeous girls and super sweet and lots of fun to talk to and hang out with. Not to mention they are quite fit and do yoga and exercises in the courtyard of the Bantry. Ladies night with them is sure to be a good time!
Daniel: Also from California, we have San Francisco in common which was cool to find out upon talking to him. He's also an eccentric character. He has shoulder length, straight black hair with a long braid running down his chest. His 'style' is different and he plays life off like he doesn't care and that he's just cooler than everyone else. He does his own thing and calls his own shots for sure. He was very intimidating the first time I met him but now he's taken on a bit of a brother role as he pops in and out and eats my food. He's really fun to get to know and talk to and also, constantly surprises me.
Sebastian: Another Swede. He's a bit different from the beer-guzzling other Swedes that occupy the other side of the hallway. His accent is adorable and his English is great but since Swedish is spoken at the front of the mouth (or so I hear) he has a bit of a lisp that's really cute. He's got a hilarious personality and can always make the room burst out laughing. He is of the opinion that the Swedish are better than everyone else (which seems to be a theme of many countries represented here haha) and calls everything I do "so American" while I refer to his manurisms as "so Swedish." He's great and I love hanging out with him.
Henning: Also from Germany and speaks better English than Marco. He's gorgeous and a complete sweetheart. He's up for anything all the time and is really laid back unless it comes to doing something or waiting for something to happen-then he's a bit more on the ball. He's really considerate though and has a great memory. He's the kind of person that opens the car door for a girl and then shuts it after her and makes sure she's always ahead and safe. It's nice to have someone like that to hang out with. Him and Sebastian make great roommates and are so funny together-a bit like the odd couple... :)
Simon: Yet another German. He's gorgeous and he knows it completely. He's a ladies man and isn't shy about letting people know exactly that. He's taken to the constantly drunk Iowa boys quite a bit and they can easily be spotted as a threesome out on the town most nights. He's also sweet although he comes off sometimes as if he hasn't got a clue and he's just a sweetheart.
There are so many more people that live in the Bantry and also some that don't live in the Bantry that I could go on and on about. However, that's enough for now-just a taste of the fun I'm having and the new people in my life that I already love so much :)
Here are the newest additions to my life.
Maggie: Is my wonderful roommate that I love so much. She and I were on staff together as RAs last year at CSB and now we are sharing this lovely two bedroom flat with each other. She is hilarious and cute and quirky and we are doing quite well as roomies so far (at least I think so). She's considerate and fun and a great listener and I'm lucky to be living with her and to be sharing this amazing experience with her.
Haley: Another fellow CSB-er. She was one of my best friends back home and is here with me in South Africa, living in flat 12 with a wonderful Dutch student here for 4 years named Lim. She's a bit of a chill presence here which has been really great. She brings a different perspective which is refreshing and fun. She loves life and the sparkle in her eyes definitely gets rid of any doubt about it. :)
Hega and Stina: Our next-door neighbors. They are both from Norway. Hega is brunette and really smart and sweet in a way that you wouldn't expect considering the tribal symbol tattooed on her bicep. She's really helpful and has a go-getter attitude and great to go out with and laugh with. Stina is a short and blonde and looks like the toughest girl on the planet-a stern face and hard eyes. She's laid back and a bit quieter and plays the cool angle well. But she is so much fun and also not what you would expect. She's sweet and funny and sarcastic and has great one-liners.
Alex and Jake: Both are extremely tall boys from Iowa who love nothing more than to chill out and drink beer and to get "hella faded" as we coined the term. They're sweethearts though and are a lot of fun to hang with.
Megan: Also from Iowa and our third roommate. She's a bombshell redhead with gorgeous eyes and a laugh that could kill Satan. She's hilarious and is someone that can make me laugh like I haven't in a long time. She's a lot of fun and a great listener and I love being in the kitchen cooking with her. Although she's a bit awkward when she meets people (ahemapplejuiceahem) she's a great friend that I"m sure will last beyond South Africa.
Katie: The funniest little German girl. She is blonde and small and very very quiet-you can forget about her sometimes because she won't make a peep! And when she does speak, she's so softspoken and sweet and considerate that you have to melt when you see her. But then she does things like have a contra-man and you're just shocked and laughing because it's coming from the last person you thought it would. She's amazing and also Megan's roommate.
Jonny and Jane: Both are from Northern Ireland. They have the best accents and are so much fun and so interesting to talk to. Jonny has also been to Kenya twice so that's been fun to talk to him about and when I first met him, he was reading Irresistable Revolution by Shane Claiborne. Way cool guy and a lot of fun to hang out with. He sure did sweep me off my feet at South African jazz the other night! And Jane is funny. She's a short, curly-haired, pseudo-dark red head-almost a wine color hair. She smokes and looks super cute in skirts and long necklaces all the time and is a hoot to talk to. She's so much fun and gushes about gossip and boys and I love her to death already.
Patrick and the swedish boys: All from Sweden, they are impressed with the low prices of alcohol here and thus take full advantage all the time since apparently alcohol is so expensive in Sweden. Last night Patrick came home in a cab when I was outside with some other people in front of our place and we had to carry him inside.... He's also very sweet though and quite a deep person when he's not intoxicated or thinking about becoming intoxicated. The other Swedish guys are similar but not so bad and are easy on the eyes as well :)
Marco: He is a sweetheart blunt guy from Germany that is here to learn English so naturally, some of our conversations have been quite funny and memorable. I spend quite a lot of time with him talking about life, learning English and about Germany and walking arm in arm and laughing. He's very blunt and calls it like he sees it with no qualms or embarrassment. He makes me laugh extremely hard and some of his 'isms' have caught on around here and are now part of my normal vocabulary. Marco!
The California girls: Kelleigh, Jen, Beam, Loretta, Alena, Ashley... All from different places around CA and stick together pretty well but are great about branching out and getting to know other people. They are all gorgeous girls and super sweet and lots of fun to talk to and hang out with. Not to mention they are quite fit and do yoga and exercises in the courtyard of the Bantry. Ladies night with them is sure to be a good time!
Daniel: Also from California, we have San Francisco in common which was cool to find out upon talking to him. He's also an eccentric character. He has shoulder length, straight black hair with a long braid running down his chest. His 'style' is different and he plays life off like he doesn't care and that he's just cooler than everyone else. He does his own thing and calls his own shots for sure. He was very intimidating the first time I met him but now he's taken on a bit of a brother role as he pops in and out and eats my food. He's really fun to get to know and talk to and also, constantly surprises me.
Sebastian: Another Swede. He's a bit different from the beer-guzzling other Swedes that occupy the other side of the hallway. His accent is adorable and his English is great but since Swedish is spoken at the front of the mouth (or so I hear) he has a bit of a lisp that's really cute. He's got a hilarious personality and can always make the room burst out laughing. He is of the opinion that the Swedish are better than everyone else (which seems to be a theme of many countries represented here haha) and calls everything I do "so American" while I refer to his manurisms as "so Swedish." He's great and I love hanging out with him.
Henning: Also from Germany and speaks better English than Marco. He's gorgeous and a complete sweetheart. He's up for anything all the time and is really laid back unless it comes to doing something or waiting for something to happen-then he's a bit more on the ball. He's really considerate though and has a great memory. He's the kind of person that opens the car door for a girl and then shuts it after her and makes sure she's always ahead and safe. It's nice to have someone like that to hang out with. Him and Sebastian make great roommates and are so funny together-a bit like the odd couple... :)
Simon: Yet another German. He's gorgeous and he knows it completely. He's a ladies man and isn't shy about letting people know exactly that. He's taken to the constantly drunk Iowa boys quite a bit and they can easily be spotted as a threesome out on the town most nights. He's also sweet although he comes off sometimes as if he hasn't got a clue and he's just a sweetheart.
There are so many more people that live in the Bantry and also some that don't live in the Bantry that I could go on and on about. However, that's enough for now-just a taste of the fun I'm having and the new people in my life that I already love so much :)
3.2.10
Floating through Paradise
After two weeks, I still cannot believe that this is actually my life for the next six months. Surrounded by newly made friends from all over the world, under a breathtakingly blue, sunshine-filled, sky and with the waves constantly crashing only a block away, I’ve discovered these past two weeks that I am definitely in paradise. It doesn’t help that I have had the last two weeks to become adjusted without the responsibilities of classes and this concept of homework I keep hearing about. Thus, my skin is dark and beautiful, the bags under my eyes have disappeared, replaced by crinkles at the corners caused by constant laughter and smiling ☺, and any knots or stress in my shoulders has melted away. I’ve managed to make a bit of a dent in the stack of books I brought with me as well as well as cook up some mouth-watering meals for friends, make my way through several bottles of delicious South African wine, and collect a heap of incredible seashells along the beach.
Jealous? Ha, I would be too.
More about life here. I live in a place called the Bantry-about an hours walk from the actual NMMU campus, but only about a 10-15 min combie (taxi) ride away. I’m looking into buying a bike to save time and money and to still get my exercise in and be outside. The Bantry is an apartment, or flat, complex and people from the U.S., Sweden, Germany, Ireland, Norway, etc live here. All international students of course. I live in a 2 bedroom flat with Maggie, a good friend from CSB also here with me. We have one of the most spacious living rooms in the building making our room a hotspot for gatherings and hanging out-tiring at times but we love having people here. We have a bathroom with a tub that’s great for bubble baths, and a tiny kitchen (the only thing that could be improved I think) but it works for us. We’ve developed quite the crowd of friends and family here already and the people are all so much fun and so interesting-I’ve been having a blast getting to know everyone. It’s been quite a contrast to Kenya however. Although I’m not with the CSB/SJU program, I’m still in quite the bubble, separated and secluded from the culture living here, whereas in Kenya I was living with the locals with no other “Westerners” to keep me from the culture. Getting to learn about all the different cultures of the people here has been really fun and interesting however. It’s hard to combat the stereotype of the ‘international student’ that a lot of locals seem to hold though-that they’re just here to party and hang out for the semester or year and that they aren’t quite interested in learning about the culture so much. I’m working on it however-excited to have classes starting up that will allow me to meet South African students.
The Bantry is about a block away from the beach. It’s a beautiful bay we’re in but quite windy at times (awkward if you’re wearing a skirt or dress…) a lovely path runs along the stretch of beach most of the way to school. The main road runs parallel to the beach and pretty much everything I could possibly need or want is along that road-called Humewood road. We’re surrounded by sweet restaurants and clubs and pubs. Sunday night we had dinner at this restaurant that had an incredible view of the ocean as we sat outside on the deck and watched the sun go down sipping various cocktails and chatting and laughing. Then we went downstairs to a restaurant/club and danced the night away to a live South African jazz band, waves crashing just across the street. It was, I think, the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been here. A couple nights before that, I went out with a few guys because the girls just wanted to stay in to an awesome bar with a chill atmosphere complete with couches to hang out on in one corner, hookahs, and a dance floor and fun music on the other side of the place. It was so much fun, just me, 2 German guys, and 1 Swede. Talk about laughing…. Haha.
However, school began yesterday and I am here for that so the ‘living it up’ part is has slowed down. To start, I am so impressed with the overall organization and ability to get things done here. In Kenya, it took me weeks to get some of the things done here that I’ve gotten done in 10 min. It’s amazing. Registration was like a game-we had to go around to some different offices and get a stamp on a sheet of paper saying we had everything worked out and at the end we got a prize-a free t-shirt and a bag! How fun is that?!? Haha, there’s a bit of disarray at the schedule of classes, but they are, in fact, taking place-I have two this afternoon. By next week I’m expecting smooth sailing. Unfortunately since most of the people here haven’t had the experience in Kenya that I had, they are a bit uptight over how everything is working out whereas I’m relaxing and sitting back, knowing that this is still Africa and that things just happen differently here-chill out. ☺ I believe, if my schedule stays as is, that I’m in class only 3 days a week (hopefully) which leaves me plenty of time to get homework done, relax, and travel. Something I really regret not doing or having time for in Kenya. I’m taking these classes: Intro to Xhosa Culture, Social and Environmental Issues, Post-Apartheid South Africa, Contemporary Politics and Policy in South Africa, Photojournalism, and Community Service Learning. I’m really excited for all of them.
Having other people around-aka international students-to go through the experience with has been a blessing too. I don’t feel alone at all here-everyone else is going through exactly the same thing and we’re figuring everything out together and everyone is so nice and willing to share knowledge and experiences. So much different from Kenya where Chris and I had no support system other than each other and had no one to ask who knew exactly what we wanted or needed. Here, you can ask people where they found their sheets, how to get to the mall, which restaurants they’ve tried, where they got their hummous, and everything else you could possibly want to know. There’s always someone up for everything-the beach, walking, cooking, going out to eat or out to the bar, and everyone is willing to let you tag along.
Most of my nights have consisted of cooking delicious things with friends. So far I’ve made spaghetti sauce, baked potato soup, meatloaf (which I didn’t eat), mashed potatoes, squash, lots of veggies and delicious sandwiches, squash soup, fruit pizza, cake, fruit salad, chips, ugali, spinach, and the list goes on and on…. It’s been amazing! The food is eaten by candlelight usually and a glass of wine and then as people smell what’s cooking, thankfully after most of the food is gone (haha) they wander down and inside and take a seat and we usually end up talking and hanging out until bedtime. It’s been a a blast. I’ll put up some pictures as soon as I can.
Well, I have class in an hour and I still have to grab some lunch so I’m signing off for now. I’ll be better about updating hopefully once I get more into a routine but for now, know that I’m in paradise and having the time of my life. ☺
Jealous? Ha, I would be too.
More about life here. I live in a place called the Bantry-about an hours walk from the actual NMMU campus, but only about a 10-15 min combie (taxi) ride away. I’m looking into buying a bike to save time and money and to still get my exercise in and be outside. The Bantry is an apartment, or flat, complex and people from the U.S., Sweden, Germany, Ireland, Norway, etc live here. All international students of course. I live in a 2 bedroom flat with Maggie, a good friend from CSB also here with me. We have one of the most spacious living rooms in the building making our room a hotspot for gatherings and hanging out-tiring at times but we love having people here. We have a bathroom with a tub that’s great for bubble baths, and a tiny kitchen (the only thing that could be improved I think) but it works for us. We’ve developed quite the crowd of friends and family here already and the people are all so much fun and so interesting-I’ve been having a blast getting to know everyone. It’s been quite a contrast to Kenya however. Although I’m not with the CSB/SJU program, I’m still in quite the bubble, separated and secluded from the culture living here, whereas in Kenya I was living with the locals with no other “Westerners” to keep me from the culture. Getting to learn about all the different cultures of the people here has been really fun and interesting however. It’s hard to combat the stereotype of the ‘international student’ that a lot of locals seem to hold though-that they’re just here to party and hang out for the semester or year and that they aren’t quite interested in learning about the culture so much. I’m working on it however-excited to have classes starting up that will allow me to meet South African students.
The Bantry is about a block away from the beach. It’s a beautiful bay we’re in but quite windy at times (awkward if you’re wearing a skirt or dress…) a lovely path runs along the stretch of beach most of the way to school. The main road runs parallel to the beach and pretty much everything I could possibly need or want is along that road-called Humewood road. We’re surrounded by sweet restaurants and clubs and pubs. Sunday night we had dinner at this restaurant that had an incredible view of the ocean as we sat outside on the deck and watched the sun go down sipping various cocktails and chatting and laughing. Then we went downstairs to a restaurant/club and danced the night away to a live South African jazz band, waves crashing just across the street. It was, I think, the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been here. A couple nights before that, I went out with a few guys because the girls just wanted to stay in to an awesome bar with a chill atmosphere complete with couches to hang out on in one corner, hookahs, and a dance floor and fun music on the other side of the place. It was so much fun, just me, 2 German guys, and 1 Swede. Talk about laughing…. Haha.
However, school began yesterday and I am here for that so the ‘living it up’ part is has slowed down. To start, I am so impressed with the overall organization and ability to get things done here. In Kenya, it took me weeks to get some of the things done here that I’ve gotten done in 10 min. It’s amazing. Registration was like a game-we had to go around to some different offices and get a stamp on a sheet of paper saying we had everything worked out and at the end we got a prize-a free t-shirt and a bag! How fun is that?!? Haha, there’s a bit of disarray at the schedule of classes, but they are, in fact, taking place-I have two this afternoon. By next week I’m expecting smooth sailing. Unfortunately since most of the people here haven’t had the experience in Kenya that I had, they are a bit uptight over how everything is working out whereas I’m relaxing and sitting back, knowing that this is still Africa and that things just happen differently here-chill out. ☺ I believe, if my schedule stays as is, that I’m in class only 3 days a week (hopefully) which leaves me plenty of time to get homework done, relax, and travel. Something I really regret not doing or having time for in Kenya. I’m taking these classes: Intro to Xhosa Culture, Social and Environmental Issues, Post-Apartheid South Africa, Contemporary Politics and Policy in South Africa, Photojournalism, and Community Service Learning. I’m really excited for all of them.
Having other people around-aka international students-to go through the experience with has been a blessing too. I don’t feel alone at all here-everyone else is going through exactly the same thing and we’re figuring everything out together and everyone is so nice and willing to share knowledge and experiences. So much different from Kenya where Chris and I had no support system other than each other and had no one to ask who knew exactly what we wanted or needed. Here, you can ask people where they found their sheets, how to get to the mall, which restaurants they’ve tried, where they got their hummous, and everything else you could possibly want to know. There’s always someone up for everything-the beach, walking, cooking, going out to eat or out to the bar, and everyone is willing to let you tag along.
Most of my nights have consisted of cooking delicious things with friends. So far I’ve made spaghetti sauce, baked potato soup, meatloaf (which I didn’t eat), mashed potatoes, squash, lots of veggies and delicious sandwiches, squash soup, fruit pizza, cake, fruit salad, chips, ugali, spinach, and the list goes on and on…. It’s been amazing! The food is eaten by candlelight usually and a glass of wine and then as people smell what’s cooking, thankfully after most of the food is gone (haha) they wander down and inside and take a seat and we usually end up talking and hanging out until bedtime. It’s been a a blast. I’ll put up some pictures as soon as I can.
Well, I have class in an hour and I still have to grab some lunch so I’m signing off for now. I’ll be better about updating hopefully once I get more into a routine but for now, know that I’m in paradise and having the time of my life. ☺
4.1.10
[Maine]iacs and other such adventures at home
Hello from the lovely U.S.
It's been quite a whirlwind few weeks back. So different from the whirlwind several MONTHS that I've had.
I said a tearful goodbye to the two cars full of loved ones that accompanied me to the airport back in Kenya. I cried all the way through baggage-weighing, checking in, the last look at Chris and Sister Theresita standing in the window watching to make sure I was okay, the visa people, and the wait for my plane. I finished crying half way to Amsterdam. Although I was unbelievably excited to return home and that was what had kept me going the last few weeks in Kenya, I hadn't really realized that although I was returning to one family, I was also leaving one behind. One that I loved very much. I am thankful that I get to spend two days in Nairobi with this family before continuing on to South Africa.
I landed in Minneapolis and was shocked at the billowing, blowing snow that covered the world outside the small plane window. I decided that I LOVED it. I made it through customs without a hitch and although my checked bags were without my cell phone when I finally got them, I did get them. One cell phone down compared to the infinite ones that Chris lost or broke is okay with me! :) I ran into my mother's waiting arms and raced out to the car to see my dad. We threw my baggage in the trunk and were on our way-with a quick stop at Panera of course to have a bagel and the most wonderful soup... YUM!
I rested for a few days and then went up to campus to spend the last weekend of the semester with all of the lovely CSB/SJU-ers that I missed so much. I particularly enjoyed people's reactions when they saw me. Almost an unrecognition, then a slow dawning of who I was, that I wasn't supposed to be there, and that they were very excited to see me. It was fun. Lots of catching up, coffee, meals, laughing, and hugging. I also especially enjoyed being back inside the monastery again. Although I loved the Franciscans, nothing can compare to the Benedictines. I felt peace instantly warm my heart as their spirit filled me as soon as I set foot in the chapel. Mmmm I love that place and those women. More than I realized.
I came home and began to see people around here. I made soup and drank wine with Jorden, got fitted for my bridesmaid dress and went to happy hour with David and Kayla, snuggled a bit with Collin, and spent some good time with my family.
Then I went to Maine for 10 days with my parents to visit my cousins, aunt, uncle, and grandmother. Although my initial feelings about traveling (once more) were less than enthusiastic, I ended up having a pretty good time and really enjoying getting to know my awesome cousins and sweet aunt and uncle. This was only the second time I've ever met any of them and it was quite lovely. We had a lot of fun and laughs and I gained new wisdom about things like asprin and turtle necks :) I was sad to leave but left with promises that they would all come to visit this summer which I'm really excited for. No need to ask, I absolutely did NOT have lobster or any other kind of gross seafood while I was there. ICK! A highlight was I think hanging out with my cousin who's my age and we went to see It's Complicated which happens to be like my new favorite movie and then we went out for Mexican food and shared margaritas. It was a good time. Junk food night without the adults was a blast too :) Maine truly is absolutely stunningly beautiful. Wow! I consider myself blessed to have seen three of the four oceans in the world within a four month time period: Pacific in San Francisco, Indian in Kenya, and the Atlantic in Maine. Wonderful.
I came home from Maine and immediately unpacked, repacked, and headed down to Savage (by Shakopee) for some much needed time with one of my favorite women in the entire world: Miss Shannon Elizabeth Preston. We wore little black dresses, went to dinner at Buca's, had a glass of wine at the bar and admired the adorable bartender, ate wonderful food, then returned home to our pjs and drank wine until we fell asleep in front of the fireplace and candles. In the morning we spent hours looking at each other's pictures, made lunch for ourselves, then watched the second half of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince together, then each talked on the phone to our respective people for a while then made dinner with her parents. I made them ugali-a staple food of Kenya and much of Africa. They graciously tried it and liked it. The conversation was good then Shannon and her dad left for a bit and I took a two hour dip in their jucuzzi accompanied by a glass of pinot noir and candlelight. Oh my goodness, I loved every minute! God is too good to me I think. The rest of the night was spent sharing a couch and good conversation with this woman I have come to regard as a soul sister and most certainly a friend of life. We made plans to open a vineyard together someday. It was a lovely couple of days spent with her-just something to tide me over until I see her again in 6 months :)
And I'm home now. Relaxed and free of obligations other than meeting up with other people around the cities who I have also missed dearly. I am set on enjoying the next two weeks until South Africa as much as I can. I can honestly say that I am absolutely not ready to go back. I think it took slowing down and resting and being comfortable again to realize how hard the last four months have been on me and how exhausted I really am. I would not take a second of it back, and to steal Chris' words, the semester was what it should have been. God does place us in certain places at certain times and not all of life should be easy. I learned what I should have learned and this experience will affect me in ways that I cannot begin to imagine. However, it was hard and taxing, like climbing a mountain for 4 months straight. I'm exhausted and ready to be stable for a while and the thought of plunging, yet again, into my third brand new culture within a year for a long period of time once again makes me quite weary. I am comforting myself with positive thoughts and the reassurances of practically everyone that this semester will be easier than the last. Don't get me wrong, I want to go, I still feel called to go and know that South Africa is where I'm supposed to be in two weeks but I'm just... weary right now.
So until I have to leave, I am spending the next two weeks with friends and family, reading, drinking tea, hot chocolate, and lots of wine, cooking a lot, and eating tons of soup and Malt-O-Meal and watching movies to my hearts content underneath lots and lots of blankets surrounded by fellow snugglers and comfy pillows. Mmm life couldn't be better in this moment :)
It's been quite a whirlwind few weeks back. So different from the whirlwind several MONTHS that I've had.
I said a tearful goodbye to the two cars full of loved ones that accompanied me to the airport back in Kenya. I cried all the way through baggage-weighing, checking in, the last look at Chris and Sister Theresita standing in the window watching to make sure I was okay, the visa people, and the wait for my plane. I finished crying half way to Amsterdam. Although I was unbelievably excited to return home and that was what had kept me going the last few weeks in Kenya, I hadn't really realized that although I was returning to one family, I was also leaving one behind. One that I loved very much. I am thankful that I get to spend two days in Nairobi with this family before continuing on to South Africa.
I landed in Minneapolis and was shocked at the billowing, blowing snow that covered the world outside the small plane window. I decided that I LOVED it. I made it through customs without a hitch and although my checked bags were without my cell phone when I finally got them, I did get them. One cell phone down compared to the infinite ones that Chris lost or broke is okay with me! :) I ran into my mother's waiting arms and raced out to the car to see my dad. We threw my baggage in the trunk and were on our way-with a quick stop at Panera of course to have a bagel and the most wonderful soup... YUM!
I rested for a few days and then went up to campus to spend the last weekend of the semester with all of the lovely CSB/SJU-ers that I missed so much. I particularly enjoyed people's reactions when they saw me. Almost an unrecognition, then a slow dawning of who I was, that I wasn't supposed to be there, and that they were very excited to see me. It was fun. Lots of catching up, coffee, meals, laughing, and hugging. I also especially enjoyed being back inside the monastery again. Although I loved the Franciscans, nothing can compare to the Benedictines. I felt peace instantly warm my heart as their spirit filled me as soon as I set foot in the chapel. Mmmm I love that place and those women. More than I realized.
I came home and began to see people around here. I made soup and drank wine with Jorden, got fitted for my bridesmaid dress and went to happy hour with David and Kayla, snuggled a bit with Collin, and spent some good time with my family.
Then I went to Maine for 10 days with my parents to visit my cousins, aunt, uncle, and grandmother. Although my initial feelings about traveling (once more) were less than enthusiastic, I ended up having a pretty good time and really enjoying getting to know my awesome cousins and sweet aunt and uncle. This was only the second time I've ever met any of them and it was quite lovely. We had a lot of fun and laughs and I gained new wisdom about things like asprin and turtle necks :) I was sad to leave but left with promises that they would all come to visit this summer which I'm really excited for. No need to ask, I absolutely did NOT have lobster or any other kind of gross seafood while I was there. ICK! A highlight was I think hanging out with my cousin who's my age and we went to see It's Complicated which happens to be like my new favorite movie and then we went out for Mexican food and shared margaritas. It was a good time. Junk food night without the adults was a blast too :) Maine truly is absolutely stunningly beautiful. Wow! I consider myself blessed to have seen three of the four oceans in the world within a four month time period: Pacific in San Francisco, Indian in Kenya, and the Atlantic in Maine. Wonderful.
I came home from Maine and immediately unpacked, repacked, and headed down to Savage (by Shakopee) for some much needed time with one of my favorite women in the entire world: Miss Shannon Elizabeth Preston. We wore little black dresses, went to dinner at Buca's, had a glass of wine at the bar and admired the adorable bartender, ate wonderful food, then returned home to our pjs and drank wine until we fell asleep in front of the fireplace and candles. In the morning we spent hours looking at each other's pictures, made lunch for ourselves, then watched the second half of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince together, then each talked on the phone to our respective people for a while then made dinner with her parents. I made them ugali-a staple food of Kenya and much of Africa. They graciously tried it and liked it. The conversation was good then Shannon and her dad left for a bit and I took a two hour dip in their jucuzzi accompanied by a glass of pinot noir and candlelight. Oh my goodness, I loved every minute! God is too good to me I think. The rest of the night was spent sharing a couch and good conversation with this woman I have come to regard as a soul sister and most certainly a friend of life. We made plans to open a vineyard together someday. It was a lovely couple of days spent with her-just something to tide me over until I see her again in 6 months :)
And I'm home now. Relaxed and free of obligations other than meeting up with other people around the cities who I have also missed dearly. I am set on enjoying the next two weeks until South Africa as much as I can. I can honestly say that I am absolutely not ready to go back. I think it took slowing down and resting and being comfortable again to realize how hard the last four months have been on me and how exhausted I really am. I would not take a second of it back, and to steal Chris' words, the semester was what it should have been. God does place us in certain places at certain times and not all of life should be easy. I learned what I should have learned and this experience will affect me in ways that I cannot begin to imagine. However, it was hard and taxing, like climbing a mountain for 4 months straight. I'm exhausted and ready to be stable for a while and the thought of plunging, yet again, into my third brand new culture within a year for a long period of time once again makes me quite weary. I am comforting myself with positive thoughts and the reassurances of practically everyone that this semester will be easier than the last. Don't get me wrong, I want to go, I still feel called to go and know that South Africa is where I'm supposed to be in two weeks but I'm just... weary right now.
So until I have to leave, I am spending the next two weeks with friends and family, reading, drinking tea, hot chocolate, and lots of wine, cooking a lot, and eating tons of soup and Malt-O-Meal and watching movies to my hearts content underneath lots and lots of blankets surrounded by fellow snugglers and comfy pillows. Mmm life couldn't be better in this moment :)
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