Unfortunately, I have been without internet for a week now! I wrote this last week but am only able to post now. Enjoy!
I have made it through my first week of block classes and am preparing for my second tomorrow. I am still surviving off of Sudafed, though on the whole I am feeling largely better besides a pesky cough that crops up here and there.
Once I was feeling better, I immensely enjoyed my Gender and Health course! We had several guest lecturers which helped the long days go by more quickly. For a few years now, I have been on the 60percent listserv, which is based out of UCT and provides information about women and HIV (the name comes from the disproportionate ratio of women who have HIV vs men). Some of the guest lecturers were names I have seen before on that listserv that I am now finally meeting in person! I also received a lecture on rape in South Africa by a woman whose book I own. Very exciting!
I am hoping to possibly intern with one of the organizations that provided guest lecturers. One is the Ivan Toms (health4men.co.za) health clinic, which works predominantly with men who have sex with men (MSM) and the other is Sonke Gender Justice, which is a larger organization working mostly changing the attitudes and understandings of men to achieve gender equality. I’ve really been on a kick lately for working with men and masculinities, so I’m thrilled there might be some opportunities with these organizations.
I have also been trying to make friends with my classmates. The Americans are nice, but I am also getting to know some of the South African (and other international students) as well. No bosom friends yet, but these things take time.
Getting home from school continues to be interesting. I have three different options, all of which are fine for now. The difficulty will be determining which is safest once the days are longer and I finish class when it is dark.
This weekend I had a visit from Thomas’ dad, Walter, as he was kind enough to drive Thomas’ car down after it was serviced in Durban. Overall, we had a good time. Last night we went out with some of his friends from the UK and we got home later than I normally would—those party animals! Today we went up to Signal Hill (which I am currently looking at out my window) to take some pictures of the City Bowl and harbor and then went to his Godfather’s son’s, Hans, home for tea. He and his wife Julia had a beautiful home. It was just stunning!
Tomorrow, Thomas will be home for a couple of hours before leaving for another job (fingers crossed that he will be able to pick me up from class so we can have a few minutes together!). However, I will have him home for about a week starting on Saturday. Monday-Wednesday I will have block class days of my next course, Public Health and Society, which is a compulsory course. My biggest goal for Thursday is to open a local bank account and then I will begin applying for jobs.
Home is beginning to feel further away. I can’t say that I’m sad here, but I am missing you all!
