An average day in Africa

Yesterday we successfully hiked to all four waterfalls, and by "hiked" I really mean scaled a mountain. I kid you not- A Mountain. However, it was well worth it; although I did get my share of battle wounds, but needless to say it was me versus the mountain and I came out on top- literally.

As for lovely Africa, the weather is starting to pick up and it is so nice to be outside.  One of the previous semesters invested in a 90 ft slip and slide. Best investment Ever. That along with our daily dose of soccer and some zebra sightings and I'd say it's been a very successful saturday. (:

T-I-A

Much of the things that happen in Africa occur late, by which it becomes a "this is Africa" sort of thing. Surprisingly most people actually say "TIA;" however we're trying to get TISA (this is south africa) to catch on because we feel it falls off the tongue far better.

As for Africa, well.. it's beautiful! Pietermaritzburg is tropical and gorgeous; however, the wild life is certainly.. exotic.  Zebras have been spotted not to mention we are stalked 24/7 by monkeys.  As a result we are fully equipped with pepper spray and a paintball gun. Yes, we get to shoot monkeys. I GET TO SHOOT A MONKEY. So excited.

As for the move in it has all gone well. I finally feel like I am settling in and can call this place home.  However, for some reason we ended up with the tiniest room ever. I kid you not. It is a baby room.  However, we made the best of it and de-bunked our beds and just made the whole room into a giant mattress (:

Another quality I really appreciate about Africa is Tea Time. As in designated time twice a day to drink tea and hang out with people. It's awesome!

Not only that but the culture is just so much more friendly than that of america. We went to church today and everyone smiled and we were greeted with hugs as we entered. It is just such an easy culture to acclimate yourself too. So.. basically I love it here!

Helllooooo, Africa

It’s an odd thing moving your clock forward ten hours.  It left me wondering... where the heck did my day go?  From leaving before the sun rose and landing after it set I truly did not even have a wednesday. So sad. However, the fact that I am now in South Africa is just the opposite! Let the adventures begin. 

Expectations

I think that because I have a lack of knowledge about where I'll be and what I'll be doing, I really have no idea what to expect. In someways that's exciting... and in others absolutely terrifying.

I feel as though this is the perfect opportunity for me to embrace the unknown, to just go with the flow. Que Sera Sera. What ever will be will be. Whatever. Will. Be. Will. Be.  Kind of comforting words I suppose.  A lack of control, or having control but giving it up for something better. I like that.

Love.

I just love reading 1 Corinthians. Particularly Chapter 13.

Self Perceptions

I suppose I have had no trouble with the concept of "keeping an open mind" in regards to entering into a completely new culture; however, I hadn't really considered that I will be changing throughout this semester and I have to understand that there are perceptions of myself that I will also be leaving behind.

- Today I took the Myers-Briggs personality test, after many years of thinking I was an ENFP I soon discover I was an INTJ.  While this may sound like pointless information, I found it interesting that for so long I thought I was an extrovert.  I am not an extrovert.  I'm outgoing, yes, but I am not an extrovert.  This simple realization of finding something new out about myself has my brain a little rattled.  I can't help but think about how my perceptions of others must be completely wrong if I can't even understand myself.  

I hope that I will be able to enter into this new phase of my life with the ability to leave all preconceived notions behind.  Whether about myself, the culture, the people (both there and at home), I hope that I will just be able to embrace the things that come my way and not attach a stigma to them or automatically reject them because of something that I associate with it. I know that so much of what I encounter will be unknown to me, and that's exciting! It will be a way for me to broaden my beliefs and values and learn about those of others; yet in a way that allows for growth rather than a muffling of those things that make me feel uncomfortable. 

Packing: Uh Oh...

So the point of this blog is to keep you all posted on the adventures that will be ensuing this up and coming spring semester.  As many of you know, I am traveling to South Africa and considering my extremely limited amount of communication with the outside world- I figured that instead of the occasional carrier pigeon or smoke signal a blog informing you on my life would suffice.

So... here we go!

Item #1: Packing:

Let it be noted that this will be the extent of my wardrobe for 5 months... 5 MONTHS! Let's just say there better be a good washing machine there or I'm screwed.

Pants: 2 jeans, 1 sweats
Shirts: 5-7 short sleeves, 2-3 long sleeves
Jackets: rain, fleece, cotton
Shoes: chacos, vans, cons
Skirts: 4
Dresses: 3
Shorts: 1 running, 1 jean, 2 cotton
Socks: 7 pairs
Under Garments: leggings

Other: bible, Journal, Comp, squisy bowl, spork, phone, sleeping bag, head lamp, textbook, wallet, fanny pack, ipod, chargers.

Plus, maybe an extra hat or two for Norm. (: