The last couple of days have been pretty good, and there are a few people and groups that can contributed to the goodness. So I've got some shout outs to give.
My first shout out goes to the men and women of the South African Postal Service, for allowing my allergy medicine to make it through customs. My parents sent if off before the 4th of July, and I got it this week, the day after my Veramyst ran out. Now I must admit that I was pretty upset when I received the letter saying that my meds might be sent back or destroyed by the SA Dept. of Health. I was planning on going to Cape Postal Center with a bag of dust, which I planned to sniff, and proceed to violently sneeze on everybody I saw. But I got my medicine, so such acts of violence weren't necessary.
My second shout out goes to the other members of Team America, along with members of the French Connection, and the German (Isabel) for putting together this weekend's road trip down the garden route. I'm really excited about it!!!
That's all for now, the matric scores are in. Gotta run!!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
I've Been to the Mountain Top...
This week has been a special one for yours truly. During this time period, along with getting a lot of work done of my project, I've hiked to the top of Lion's Head and Table Mountain.
Now some of you may be thinking that this is not a big deal. Well, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I grew up in a family that nobody would consider…uh…outdoorsy. My mother isn't too big on nature. In fact, I remember her getting really upset when Terrence and I came into the house covered in mud. Because my dad had to spend so many long days working in the fields back in the day, he doesn't care too much for outdoorsy stuff either. Unless you count running up the levee by the Stein-Mart in Greenville, the hiking record of my youth was pretty pathetic. When I lived in the Delta, I remember my dad took me to a meeting for Boy Scouts. Unfortunately, the guy that was suppose to lead the troop skipped town, so no scouts for me. Terrence and I had numerous biking adventures with our neighbors in Starkville, but that was about it. There was very little hiking, and no sleeping bags (at least none outside)
Along with my "wilderless" upbringing, it should also be noted that I have allergy problems (said that in my nerd voice). And let us also not forget that I have a well-documented love of various forms of fried and grilled meats.
Having said all of that, I had a wonderful time hiking over the past week. I've been to the top of Lion's Head twice now, most recently last night under the light of a full moon. The best part of last night (and the scariest) was that the 5 of us that went were the only people on the entire mountain. The saddest part of last night's trip was that I was really hoping to see Goat Boy. "Goat Boy" is the guy we saw on our first trip that ran (yes, RAN) up and down the mountain before we made it to the top. He had a long, grayish-colored goatee, and he looked like a goat as he made his way down the mountain.
The hike up Table Mountain was memorable for two reasons. First, that mountain nearly kicked my butt. There were a few times I had to stop for a quick breather, and I was definitely not the first one to the top. In the words of MLK, "I may not get there with you…". For the record, my 5th Social Studies knowledge tells me that Table Mountain is actually a plateau. Either they didn't use the word "plateau" back then, or perhaps people really liked calling it a "table" and saying "Table Plateau" would've been redundant. Secondly, while at the top of this plateau, we saw a sign that prohibited horseback riding. I'm sorry, but I had a heck of a time making it to the top that mountain. If I found a way to make it up there with a horse, I should be able to ride it wherever the heck I want to!
I hear that people are hiking up Devil's Peak this weekend. Sign me up!
Now some of you may be thinking that this is not a big deal. Well, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I grew up in a family that nobody would consider…uh…outdoorsy. My mother isn't too big on nature. In fact, I remember her getting really upset when Terrence and I came into the house covered in mud. Because my dad had to spend so many long days working in the fields back in the day, he doesn't care too much for outdoorsy stuff either. Unless you count running up the levee by the Stein-Mart in Greenville, the hiking record of my youth was pretty pathetic. When I lived in the Delta, I remember my dad took me to a meeting for Boy Scouts. Unfortunately, the guy that was suppose to lead the troop skipped town, so no scouts for me. Terrence and I had numerous biking adventures with our neighbors in Starkville, but that was about it. There was very little hiking, and no sleeping bags (at least none outside)
Along with my "wilderless" upbringing, it should also be noted that I have allergy problems (said that in my nerd voice). And let us also not forget that I have a well-documented love of various forms of fried and grilled meats.
Having said all of that, I had a wonderful time hiking over the past week. I've been to the top of Lion's Head twice now, most recently last night under the light of a full moon. The best part of last night (and the scariest) was that the 5 of us that went were the only people on the entire mountain. The saddest part of last night's trip was that I was really hoping to see Goat Boy. "Goat Boy" is the guy we saw on our first trip that ran (yes, RAN) up and down the mountain before we made it to the top. He had a long, grayish-colored goatee, and he looked like a goat as he made his way down the mountain.
The hike up Table Mountain was memorable for two reasons. First, that mountain nearly kicked my butt. There were a few times I had to stop for a quick breather, and I was definitely not the first one to the top. In the words of MLK, "I may not get there with you…". For the record, my 5th Social Studies knowledge tells me that Table Mountain is actually a plateau. Either they didn't use the word "plateau" back then, or perhaps people really liked calling it a "table" and saying "Table Plateau" would've been redundant. Secondly, while at the top of this plateau, we saw a sign that prohibited horseback riding. I'm sorry, but I had a heck of a time making it to the top that mountain. If I found a way to make it up there with a horse, I should be able to ride it wherever the heck I want to!
I hear that people are hiking up Devil's Peak this weekend. Sign me up!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Monday Soap Opera
I am currently sitting at my desk here in Room 9 of the SAEP office. The worst thing about being in Room 9 that I've gotta walk all the way down the hall to get my morning cup of instant coffee (I never drink instant coffee at home, but when in Rome...). But the best thing about it is taking place this very second.
Rooms 8 and 10 aren't SAEP offices. An older lady works in Room 8, while a woman around my age works in Room 10 with this other guy. I think Rooms 10-12 are owned by the same little company, but I can't confirm that. Anyway, back to the fun part. The people that occupy these adjoining offices apparently have lots of issues, and they love to talk about them in a loud, South African British accent. About three times a week, the lady in Room 8 starts fussing at someone on the phone. It's always about something that didn't get done when she wanted it done. I think she would benefit from Dr. Nitta's Leadership class.
Room 10 is where the real action takes place! The lady in Room 10 not only gives Ryan and me 4 days of entertainment, but she cries about stuff at least once a week. One week it was a date that went horribly wrong, another time it was people that were trying to get her fired. I'm not sure how this current episode started, but the dude is trying his best to calm her down about something. I believe that the only thing that makes this entertaining is that it's like listening to a British radio programme. I'd be completely annoyed if this were to happen in Helena.
Tune in next time friends for another episode of As the Children of Our Lives Turn Bold and Restless.
Rooms 8 and 10 aren't SAEP offices. An older lady works in Room 8, while a woman around my age works in Room 10 with this other guy. I think Rooms 10-12 are owned by the same little company, but I can't confirm that. Anyway, back to the fun part. The people that occupy these adjoining offices apparently have lots of issues, and they love to talk about them in a loud, South African British accent. About three times a week, the lady in Room 8 starts fussing at someone on the phone. It's always about something that didn't get done when she wanted it done. I think she would benefit from Dr. Nitta's Leadership class.
Room 10 is where the real action takes place! The lady in Room 10 not only gives Ryan and me 4 days of entertainment, but she cries about stuff at least once a week. One week it was a date that went horribly wrong, another time it was people that were trying to get her fired. I'm not sure how this current episode started, but the dude is trying his best to calm her down about something. I believe that the only thing that makes this entertaining is that it's like listening to a British radio programme. I'd be completely annoyed if this were to happen in Helena.
Tune in next time friends for another episode of As the Children of Our Lives Turn Bold and Restless.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Lessons Learned, Vol. IV (School Edition)
So for the past week, I taught World Geography to 12th graders at Zisukhanyo High in the Samora Machel township of Cape Town. Most of these valuable lessons are from this experience.
Lesson 19
The slight differences between South African and Southern American English pronunciations can lead to some very embarrassing moments. When speaking to my students, I told them "take your sheet and put it under your desk". Their amazingly shocked faces said it all.
Lesson 20
Despite our language and cultural differences, a teenage girl will still lose her mind the moment she hears a Chris Brown song. I've seen it with my own eyes!
Lesson 21
African students have concerns about how African Americans identify themselves. After once class, this student came up to me and said "So what are you, an African or an American". I told him that I was both. I'm American because I'm a naturalized U.S. citizen. I am African because my ancestors were brought to the U.S. from Africa. I am an African American, and I proudly embrace both aspects. He accepted my answer.
Lesson 22
I can enjoy many of my favorite 4th of July traditions while in Cape Town. We're going out for ribs tonight, and Ryan knows how to make fireworks. I do miss my family on a day like this, but the SAEP family will work for this summer.
Lesson 23
The Cold War looks a lot different when seen through South African eyes. I was taught that the Cold War was a battle against the evil forces of communism, with their oppressive policies and bland architecture. South African students, however, are taught that the Cold War was a battle between two rich countries that engaged in a 40-year spat that cost millions of people in other countries their freedom and sovereignty. Haughton Mifflin's textbook didn't say anything about that!
The last one isn't school-related, but the lesson is just as valuable...
Lesson 24
A certain portion of the South African population is crazy. For a couple hundred rand, a person will put on a wetsuit, get into a cage, and get lowered into the ocean. Then people will throw chum around them, and they enjoy the thrill of having a shark swim up and bite the cage. I wish somebody WOULD ask me to do some crazy mess like that...
Lesson 19
The slight differences between South African and Southern American English pronunciations can lead to some very embarrassing moments. When speaking to my students, I told them "take your sheet and put it under your desk". Their amazingly shocked faces said it all.
Lesson 20
Despite our language and cultural differences, a teenage girl will still lose her mind the moment she hears a Chris Brown song. I've seen it with my own eyes!
Lesson 21
African students have concerns about how African Americans identify themselves. After once class, this student came up to me and said "So what are you, an African or an American". I told him that I was both. I'm American because I'm a naturalized U.S. citizen. I am African because my ancestors were brought to the U.S. from Africa. I am an African American, and I proudly embrace both aspects. He accepted my answer.
Lesson 22
I can enjoy many of my favorite 4th of July traditions while in Cape Town. We're going out for ribs tonight, and Ryan knows how to make fireworks. I do miss my family on a day like this, but the SAEP family will work for this summer.
Lesson 23
The Cold War looks a lot different when seen through South African eyes. I was taught that the Cold War was a battle against the evil forces of communism, with their oppressive policies and bland architecture. South African students, however, are taught that the Cold War was a battle between two rich countries that engaged in a 40-year spat that cost millions of people in other countries their freedom and sovereignty. Haughton Mifflin's textbook didn't say anything about that!
The last one isn't school-related, but the lesson is just as valuable...
Lesson 24
A certain portion of the South African population is crazy. For a couple hundred rand, a person will put on a wetsuit, get into a cage, and get lowered into the ocean. Then people will throw chum around them, and they enjoy the thrill of having a shark swim up and bite the cage. I wish somebody WOULD ask me to do some crazy mess like that...
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