Things are looking even more up since last I wrote!
Firstly, Thomas is home! He is in the other room doing his ironing as I type this. I get a weird joy out of doing normal things with him. Cooking and eating dinner, watching TV, being here when he gets home (or vice versa) is a beautiful kind of normal that we've never had before. Yesterday we went shopping and got some much needed things for our kitchen. Today's task is trying to figure out space for our (ahem, his) clothing. A pretty lazy Sunday before I begin Biostatistics tomorrow!
Last week was a good one at school. Monday began the block of Public Health and Society. This was a course I wasn't too interested in taking initially, but it's required, and I'm glad that it is! The three days we had were taught by health historian, so we studied definitions of public health from different time periods and also important health documents from South Africa. It really helped to contextualized where we are coming from and where we are going. Our first assignment is to do a comparison of different syllabuses of different time periods for public health at UCT. Hmm should be interesting!
On Wednesday, I went out to lunch with a few people from class: Kim and Whitney from the States, Yas from Swaziland (now a South African permanent resident through marriage), Federico from Colombia, and Bob from Swaziland. They're some of my favorite people I've met so far, so it was nice to spend more time with them. We also had a delicious lunch at a health food place. I had the most amazing mushroom and potato pie and fruit smoothie.
I also broke down Wednesday and finally started an antibiotic for my sickness. It seems to have done the trick, I'm feeling better everyday!
As I mentioned before, I was without internet for a week, but I should be more available in the coming week. Thomas and I are also talking about getting a different type of internet so that I will have it at home all of the time. Hopefully coming soon!
My days off (Thursday and Friday) were eaten by necessary repairs to our apartment. However, I now have a working front gate and no hole in the bedroom ceiling! It also gave me a chance to read. I just finished A Widow For One Year by John Irving, which Jennifer recommended to me. A wonderful book, I highly recommend it if you're looking for some well told fiction! I did also attempt to open my bank account on Friday, but they weren't happy with my proof of address. Hopefully I'll have it sorted out by the end of this week.
Excited for the coming week: intrigued to see what biostat is like (I'm thinking I will enjoy it, but eight hours a day for three days might be a bit much), and then Thomas, his sister Louise, and I are going to see Imogen Heap on Saturday! Absolutely cannot wait. Her music has been a part of our relationship for a long time (we bought and listened to her first solo album together in 2007) and I love her music. Check it out.
Time to get back to organizing. Hope to hear from y'all soon. Love!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
January 23, 2011
Hi folks!
Unfortunately, I have been without internet for a week now! I wrote this last week but am only able to post now. Enjoy!
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!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Welcome, new readers?
I have noticed a spike in readership in the last few days. I assumed it was due to my beginning school and perhaps folks were checking in for updates. However, I had the pleasant surprise today of seeing a shout out in the SJ NOW newsletter, The Equal Write, explaining my absence from the chapter due to studying at UCT. It included the URL to this blog, so I'm realizing that might explain more page views. If you found my blog through the newsletter, welcome! I will try to be more mindful that some folks who are reading may not know the ins and outs of personal life, so I'll try to explain as I go.
As a disclaimer (which I should have really made in my first post), everything in this blog is simply my humble opinion. I obviously can only have so much understanding of South African culture as an outsider. If anyone has opinions or experiences that contradict my own, please feel free to use the comments section!
Brief thoughts from today:
School
-Eight hours is a LONG time to be a student in a grad course.
-Eight hours is also a long time to teach a grad course. Our professor let us out a little early and gave us three or four breaks, including lunch. Hooray!
-I love being in class with folks from all over. However, it is a little strange to have so many Americans in such a small class in South Africa. There are four of us in a class of about fifteen. Could it have to do with the subject matter (Gender and Health)? I've noticed that many of the Americans, like myself, have a strong interest in HIV and maternal health.
Transportation
-Getting home after 3:30 is a struggle! The public bus is almost taxi like in that it does not keep to the schedule. Today the 4:10 bus arrived at 3:40, which meant I ran after it for a few seconds before accepting I had simply missed it. Yes, it was the last bus.
-Busy areas, like hospitals, have a lot of taxis going by. Phew!
-Taking a taxi alone from and to a new place for the first time can be nerve wracking...but just pretend you understand exactly what you're doing.
-I haven't tested this yet, but another way the city bus is a bit like a taxi is that you can get on and off at places that aren't necessarily stops, but are along the bus route. I was told by some nice women at the hospital that although there weren't any more buses coming up to the hospital stop, that I would be able to catch one by waiting on the main road. May test that idea out tomorrow.
Health
-Apparently there is a way I can see a doctor through UCT as a student, though I haven't gotten any straight/easy answers about that yet. My head and ear were pounding this morning, so if this doesn't clear up by the weekend, I'll be trying to make an appointment.
-Although many medicines here seem to have different names than back home, Sudafed does exist here and it IS a God(ess) send!
-Be resourceful. If you scrape your knee on the way into a taxi, take a band aid from somewhere else on your body and use it on your knee to stop the bleeding. Okay, actually, that is probably a terrible idea, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! (fun fact: in Durban, folks called band aids "plasters." Remains to be seen what they are called in Cape Town)
Til next time....
As a disclaimer (which I should have really made in my first post), everything in this blog is simply my humble opinion. I obviously can only have so much understanding of South African culture as an outsider. If anyone has opinions or experiences that contradict my own, please feel free to use the comments section!
Brief thoughts from today:
School
-Eight hours is a LONG time to be a student in a grad course.
-Eight hours is also a long time to teach a grad course. Our professor let us out a little early and gave us three or four breaks, including lunch. Hooray!
-I love being in class with folks from all over. However, it is a little strange to have so many Americans in such a small class in South Africa. There are four of us in a class of about fifteen. Could it have to do with the subject matter (Gender and Health)? I've noticed that many of the Americans, like myself, have a strong interest in HIV and maternal health.
Transportation
-Getting home after 3:30 is a struggle! The public bus is almost taxi like in that it does not keep to the schedule. Today the 4:10 bus arrived at 3:40, which meant I ran after it for a few seconds before accepting I had simply missed it. Yes, it was the last bus.
-Busy areas, like hospitals, have a lot of taxis going by. Phew!
-Taking a taxi alone from and to a new place for the first time can be nerve wracking...but just pretend you understand exactly what you're doing.
-I haven't tested this yet, but another way the city bus is a bit like a taxi is that you can get on and off at places that aren't necessarily stops, but are along the bus route. I was told by some nice women at the hospital that although there weren't any more buses coming up to the hospital stop, that I would be able to catch one by waiting on the main road. May test that idea out tomorrow.
Health
-Apparently there is a way I can see a doctor through UCT as a student, though I haven't gotten any straight/easy answers about that yet. My head and ear were pounding this morning, so if this doesn't clear up by the weekend, I'll be trying to make an appointment.
-Although many medicines here seem to have different names than back home, Sudafed does exist here and it IS a God(ess) send!
-Be resourceful. If you scrape your knee on the way into a taxi, take a band aid from somewhere else on your body and use it on your knee to stop the bleeding. Okay, actually, that is probably a terrible idea, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! (fun fact: in Durban, folks called band aids "plasters." Remains to be seen what they are called in Cape Town)
Til next time....
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Too School for Cool
Hello friends!
I've just completed my second day of orientation, and overall I am very pleased!
I managed to register on my first day (which is quite the success after the hoops I jumped through at UKZN). It was a little tricky. Once my form was filled out, I discovered I need to register as an international student first. With the help of another international from California, Eliana, I was able to hop on the shuttle to another campus, get to the office, do what I needed (special thanks to the awesome desk worker who let me print off her computer despite the rules), and get back to the health sciences campus before long. There was still a problem with registering which made me a little late to part two of registration, but it's all sorted now.
The way the MPH program works is that each course begins with three block days, each from 8:30 to 4. Sounds awful, right? The trade off is that for the rest of the semester you only go to each course for two hours every two weeks. I go back and forth between how I feel about this, but I think it might work well, especially when I find a job.
I'm registered for four courses this semester (although they make you register for the first and second semesters at the beginning of the year): Public Health and Society (required), Intro to Epidemiology (required), Biostatistics 1 (may be required depending on my track), and Gender and Health (elective). I start my three day block for Gender and Health tomorrow, with some misgivings since it is being taught by a professor with a psych background, not a sociology background...we'll see how that goes.
As of now, I am registered in the "General" track for the MPH. There are five: General, Epidemiology, Health Economics, Clinical, and Health Systems. The Health Systems track is brand new, and actually was not available while I was applying. I am considering switching to that track, but decided to put off that decision until the end of the semester. Any thoughts from other MPHers out there? Biostatistics is not required in the Health Systems track, but I decided I definitely wanted to take it either way. Plus, I want to get a little taste of everything my first semester so that I can figure what I gravitate towards and am skilled in. I loved my intro to stat course I took over the summer, so maybe I'll love Biostat, too. Or figure out that I hate it. :) But either way, it's a skill I'd like to have.
Orientation has given me a chance to meet a variety of people. I've been trying to be friendly and introduce myself while also branching out and sitting with different folks once I've become friendly with others. I love being in this program, because we all have similar interests, yet enough variety to keep things interesting. There are a lot of doctors, but also plenty of folks like me without other medical degrees.
I've been trying to step out of my bubble and not gravitate towards Americans, but I have become friends (if you can call it that after two days) with two: Eliana (see above) and Phumelele. Eliana and I are too similar to not talk to each other--we both have backgrounds in reproductive health care and she did a "honors year" in gender studies at the African Gender Institute here at UCT last year (a program I was looking at for a while). Since she's been living here for a year, she has some good information, though she is also a bit tied up in her work, it seems. Phumelele is interesting because although she has a South African name (her mom is Zulu), she has an American accent since she mostly grew up in Pennsylvania and is a duel citizen. She is very outgoing and also has been living here a few months longer than me, working on campus.
I have been successful in meeting folks from South Africa as well,
including Malrich (not sure if that's spelling right) who was kind enough to drive me home last night since they provided us with a dinner in the evening, too late for me to take transportation besides a cab. I have also chatted with classmates from Germany and Colombia, and have classmates from the UK, Canada, Zambia, Namibia, DRC, Zimbabwe, and still more places!
Perhaps I should knock on wood, but taking transportation has been working out quite well. I take a taxi (basically a minibus taken as a group that follows a semi-set route) into town, which is super easy and cheap. Then I get on a city bus, which drops me off at Groote Schuur Hospital. From there, it is about a ten minute walk to the Health Sciences campus, which is where all of my classes are. Driving would probably be shorter, but at least I don't have to deal with the EXTREMELY limited parking at UCT! It's been a long time since I've lived in a new place, so it's funny to remember what that's like--learning to sit on the right side of the bus in the morning to be out of the sun, where your stops are, that sort of thing.
I had a very productive day between orientation, shopping, and having our landlord come by to see about fixing a couple of things. I bought some food, but I'm thinking I may need a pan for the oven (or at least some tin foil) to cook what I'd like. So I'll either save it for tomorrow, or treat myself to some pasta. As I said, tomorrow is the first day of classes, so I'll probably just do some leisure reading tonight before the homework starts up!
Hope all is well on that side! Until next time...
I've just completed my second day of orientation, and overall I am very pleased!
I managed to register on my first day (which is quite the success after the hoops I jumped through at UKZN). It was a little tricky. Once my form was filled out, I discovered I need to register as an international student first. With the help of another international from California, Eliana, I was able to hop on the shuttle to another campus, get to the office, do what I needed (special thanks to the awesome desk worker who let me print off her computer despite the rules), and get back to the health sciences campus before long. There was still a problem with registering which made me a little late to part two of registration, but it's all sorted now.
The way the MPH program works is that each course begins with three block days, each from 8:30 to 4. Sounds awful, right? The trade off is that for the rest of the semester you only go to each course for two hours every two weeks. I go back and forth between how I feel about this, but I think it might work well, especially when I find a job.
I'm registered for four courses this semester (although they make you register for the first and second semesters at the beginning of the year): Public Health and Society (required), Intro to Epidemiology (required), Biostatistics 1 (may be required depending on my track), and Gender and Health (elective). I start my three day block for Gender and Health tomorrow, with some misgivings since it is being taught by a professor with a psych background, not a sociology background...we'll see how that goes.
As of now, I am registered in the "General" track for the MPH. There are five: General, Epidemiology, Health Economics, Clinical, and Health Systems. The Health Systems track is brand new, and actually was not available while I was applying. I am considering switching to that track, but decided to put off that decision until the end of the semester. Any thoughts from other MPHers out there? Biostatistics is not required in the Health Systems track, but I decided I definitely wanted to take it either way. Plus, I want to get a little taste of everything my first semester so that I can figure what I gravitate towards and am skilled in. I loved my intro to stat course I took over the summer, so maybe I'll love Biostat, too. Or figure out that I hate it. :) But either way, it's a skill I'd like to have.
Orientation has given me a chance to meet a variety of people. I've been trying to be friendly and introduce myself while also branching out and sitting with different folks once I've become friendly with others. I love being in this program, because we all have similar interests, yet enough variety to keep things interesting. There are a lot of doctors, but also plenty of folks like me without other medical degrees.
I've been trying to step out of my bubble and not gravitate towards Americans, but I have become friends (if you can call it that after two days) with two: Eliana (see above) and Phumelele. Eliana and I are too similar to not talk to each other--we both have backgrounds in reproductive health care and she did a "honors year" in gender studies at the African Gender Institute here at UCT last year (a program I was looking at for a while). Since she's been living here for a year, she has some good information, though she is also a bit tied up in her work, it seems. Phumelele is interesting because although she has a South African name (her mom is Zulu), she has an American accent since she mostly grew up in Pennsylvania and is a duel citizen. She is very outgoing and also has been living here a few months longer than me, working on campus.
I have been successful in meeting folks from South Africa as well,
including Malrich (not sure if that's spelling right) who was kind enough to drive me home last night since they provided us with a dinner in the evening, too late for me to take transportation besides a cab. I have also chatted with classmates from Germany and Colombia, and have classmates from the UK, Canada, Zambia, Namibia, DRC, Zimbabwe, and still more places!
Perhaps I should knock on wood, but taking transportation has been working out quite well. I take a taxi (basically a minibus taken as a group that follows a semi-set route) into town, which is super easy and cheap. Then I get on a city bus, which drops me off at Groote Schuur Hospital. From there, it is about a ten minute walk to the Health Sciences campus, which is where all of my classes are. Driving would probably be shorter, but at least I don't have to deal with the EXTREMELY limited parking at UCT! It's been a long time since I've lived in a new place, so it's funny to remember what that's like--learning to sit on the right side of the bus in the morning to be out of the sun, where your stops are, that sort of thing.
I had a very productive day between orientation, shopping, and having our landlord come by to see about fixing a couple of things. I bought some food, but I'm thinking I may need a pan for the oven (or at least some tin foil) to cook what I'd like. So I'll either save it for tomorrow, or treat myself to some pasta. As I said, tomorrow is the first day of classes, so I'll probably just do some leisure reading tonight before the homework starts up!
Hope all is well on that side! Until next time...
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Tomorrow!
Tomorrow is my first day of orientation for the MPH program. I am a little nervous, though mostly curious and excited. Also, since it is an eleven hour day (not including transportation!) I am hoping it will hold my interest.
Jennifer left this afternoon, so it has been very quiet around here. I felt a little teary once she had gone, but it's almost impossible to feel sad when you look up and see the mountain. Natalie, our fabulous hair stylist in Vredehoek, told us today she really believes that the mountain gives everyone here a positive energy. I'm thinking she's right. It's a privilege to be here, and as I said to Thomas earlier, moving here may be the best decision I've ever made.
I was feeling pretty under the weather today, but I'm hoping allergies are to blame, not a sinus or ear infection. I suppose the benefit of being in the public health department is that I can get the scoop on the easiest/best way to see a doctor if needed!
Keep your fingers crossed that I get the courses I want tomorrow at registration. I'll try to update again soon!
Jennifer left this afternoon, so it has been very quiet around here. I felt a little teary once she had gone, but it's almost impossible to feel sad when you look up and see the mountain. Natalie, our fabulous hair stylist in Vredehoek, told us today she really believes that the mountain gives everyone here a positive energy. I'm thinking she's right. It's a privilege to be here, and as I said to Thomas earlier, moving here may be the best decision I've ever made.
I was feeling pretty under the weather today, but I'm hoping allergies are to blame, not a sinus or ear infection. I suppose the benefit of being in the public health department is that I can get the scoop on the easiest/best way to see a doctor if needed!
Keep your fingers crossed that I get the courses I want tomorrow at registration. I'll try to update again soon!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Week One
Greetings from Vredehoek, Cape Town!
I know y'all have been waiting on the edge of your seat to hear from me (right? riiiiight?). I need to go meet Jennifer at the hairdressers soon, so I'll write as much as I can until then.
We left early Monday morning for JFK airport. I said good-bye to my Dad at the airport, had an uneventful security check (no body scanners!), and then a quick coffee before boarding. Typically on SAA each seat has an awesome little media center so you can individually watch lots of movies, listening to music, see the flight map, all for free. Unfortunately for us and a few other rows of passengers, our screens were broken while everyone else's were working. Though I typically enjoy flying SAA, I was rather disappointed with how this was handled from a customer service standpoint. Thankfully, Jennifer and I had plenty to talk about on both flights (the first to JHB and the second to CPT), and we survived fairly well!
Tuesday afternoon (SA time) we arrived in Cape Town and were dropped at my new place in Vredehoek (a suburb up the hill from the city center). I will try to upload pictures soon, but they aren't able to capture the beauty. Across the street from me is Table Mountain (literally across the street) and from our very large bedroom window and balcony, one is able to look out over the city as well as the water. The apartment is a good size, too. Thomas did a great job of flat hunting!
So far we have done a lot, despite jet lag and not having a car. We have done two half-day tours, each with the same company, though one experience with the excellent customer service, and one that was disappointing. If you are ever booking tours in Cape Town, ask me about it and I can tell you our experience. The first tour was to the Cape of Good Hope and Simonstown. Our guide was excellent and the vehicle was comfortable, shared with about seven others. During the incredibly scenic drive, the guide explained the history and background of where we were, including the vegetation and wildlife. We were glad to have done that tour on our first full day, as it was a great introduction to the peninsula. Wednesday we did a winery tour with folks from the UK and Kenya. The vineyards were unbelievably gorgeous and the wine (and chocolate!) tastings were delicious. I can't believe I waited until now to see that part of the Cape Town area!
Additionally, we have visited many restaurants, bars, done shopping including purchasing a fridge (delivered today AND it was on sale--hooray!), investigated public transportation to get me to school, and now Jennifer is having her hair done to test out the local stylist. :)
One surprise has been the discovery of the "Cape Doctor"--the VERY strong winds that come through our area. It has its name because it is believed that the wind drives the germs out of Cape Town. Let's hope so, since it will make messing up my hair and practically pushing me over worth it.
A wonderful thing about living in Vredehoek is the convenience. You can catch a taxi at the corner to take you into town on a ten minute drive (remember, taxis here are little vans that drive around the city on a set route. Less than a dollar per trip!). Also within a ten minute walking distance are several restaurants, a convenience/grocery store, and the hair salon.
Overall, we are having a fabulous time. I haven't felt homesick yet, though I think that may change once Jennifer leaves on Sunday. Monday, I start school with a ten hour (!) orientation. I'll also register that day, so I'll have a better idea of my class schedule.
Hope everything is well on that side of the world and that I hear from some of you soon!
I know y'all have been waiting on the edge of your seat to hear from me (right? riiiiight?). I need to go meet Jennifer at the hairdressers soon, so I'll write as much as I can until then.
We left early Monday morning for JFK airport. I said good-bye to my Dad at the airport, had an uneventful security check (no body scanners!), and then a quick coffee before boarding. Typically on SAA each seat has an awesome little media center so you can individually watch lots of movies, listening to music, see the flight map, all for free. Unfortunately for us and a few other rows of passengers, our screens were broken while everyone else's were working. Though I typically enjoy flying SAA, I was rather disappointed with how this was handled from a customer service standpoint. Thankfully, Jennifer and I had plenty to talk about on both flights (the first to JHB and the second to CPT), and we survived fairly well!
Tuesday afternoon (SA time) we arrived in Cape Town and were dropped at my new place in Vredehoek (a suburb up the hill from the city center). I will try to upload pictures soon, but they aren't able to capture the beauty. Across the street from me is Table Mountain (literally across the street) and from our very large bedroom window and balcony, one is able to look out over the city as well as the water. The apartment is a good size, too. Thomas did a great job of flat hunting!
So far we have done a lot, despite jet lag and not having a car. We have done two half-day tours, each with the same company, though one experience with the excellent customer service, and one that was disappointing. If you are ever booking tours in Cape Town, ask me about it and I can tell you our experience. The first tour was to the Cape of Good Hope and Simonstown. Our guide was excellent and the vehicle was comfortable, shared with about seven others. During the incredibly scenic drive, the guide explained the history and background of where we were, including the vegetation and wildlife. We were glad to have done that tour on our first full day, as it was a great introduction to the peninsula. Wednesday we did a winery tour with folks from the UK and Kenya. The vineyards were unbelievably gorgeous and the wine (and chocolate!) tastings were delicious. I can't believe I waited until now to see that part of the Cape Town area!
Additionally, we have visited many restaurants, bars, done shopping including purchasing a fridge (delivered today AND it was on sale--hooray!), investigated public transportation to get me to school, and now Jennifer is having her hair done to test out the local stylist. :)
One surprise has been the discovery of the "Cape Doctor"--the VERY strong winds that come through our area. It has its name because it is believed that the wind drives the germs out of Cape Town. Let's hope so, since it will make messing up my hair and practically pushing me over worth it.
A wonderful thing about living in Vredehoek is the convenience. You can catch a taxi at the corner to take you into town on a ten minute drive (remember, taxis here are little vans that drive around the city on a set route. Less than a dollar per trip!). Also within a ten minute walking distance are several restaurants, a convenience/grocery store, and the hair salon.
Overall, we are having a fabulous time. I haven't felt homesick yet, though I think that may change once Jennifer leaves on Sunday. Monday, I start school with a ten hour (!) orientation. I'll also register that day, so I'll have a better idea of my class schedule.
Hope everything is well on that side of the world and that I hear from some of you soon!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Hello, Good-bye
Phew. Packing is just about done. It seems like I am taking so much with me (particularly clothing) but when I remember it's all packed in two large and one small suitcases, I suppose it isn't that much after all.
It has been a fun, though busy, week. I had a chance to catch up with a few more friends and run last minute errands before Thomas arrived on Wednesday. We had a great few days packing, eating at favorite Jersey restaurants, and just enjoying each others' company (he also went snowboarding for a day, which you can bet I did not accompany him to...), and then he left this morning for two weeks of training in Dallas and Madison. Saying good-bye at the airport was wonderfully easy--no tears, no terrible turning feeling in the pit of my stomach, or wondering when we'll be seeing each other again. He'll be joining me in Cape Town in about three weeks time. Piece of cake when six months is the norm!
Friday night was amazing. I had a going away gathering at Dave and Busters and was blown away by the turn out. Friends from pre-school, middle school, high school, college, and beyond and in between. Apologies to everyone at dinner that the service was slow. I didn't mind--one, as a former server, I don't know how one person was taking care of twenty-six (by my count) people, and two, it gave me a lot of time to make the rounds at the table and chat with folks. I know there were a lot of people I didn't get to spend much time with, but I was so glad to see all of you there who could make it!
In general, I hate good-byes. As some of you know, I'm a sensitive person and am pretty quick to get teary at happy or sad occasions. I'm doing my best not to dwell on how much I am going to miss the amazing folks I have on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. So far, I've been pretty good about holding it together, though I certainly had trouble getting to sleep after the party on Friday night thinking about it. The way I look at it: I am truly blessed to have so many people in my life whom are so difficult to move away from.
Thankfully, come tomorrow morning, the good-byes will be over (save for Jennifer, my wonderful friend/"sister"/mentor who is joining me for my first week in Cape Town!). From then on, I'll be saying hello to my loved ones via webcam and email, and I'll be starting a whole new adventure. Plus I'm looking forward to possibly making some new friends in the coming months.
Truthfully, I have been feeling next to no anxiety. Partly because I have been preparing for this change for some time and because I know that this is the right thing for me right now (even if it is sad some times). I constantly have my dad's voice in the back of my mind, telling me that no matter what I imagine about the future, it will be different than what I picture. I find that to be freeing and exhilarating! The coming years can go in so many different directions, and yet I have faith that I will find my way.
We should have internet once we get to the apartment on Tuesday. Stayed tuned for updates and pictures.
Here we go, folks!
It has been a fun, though busy, week. I had a chance to catch up with a few more friends and run last minute errands before Thomas arrived on Wednesday. We had a great few days packing, eating at favorite Jersey restaurants, and just enjoying each others' company (he also went snowboarding for a day, which you can bet I did not accompany him to...), and then he left this morning for two weeks of training in Dallas and Madison. Saying good-bye at the airport was wonderfully easy--no tears, no terrible turning feeling in the pit of my stomach, or wondering when we'll be seeing each other again. He'll be joining me in Cape Town in about three weeks time. Piece of cake when six months is the norm!
Friday night was amazing. I had a going away gathering at Dave and Busters and was blown away by the turn out. Friends from pre-school, middle school, high school, college, and beyond and in between. Apologies to everyone at dinner that the service was slow. I didn't mind--one, as a former server, I don't know how one person was taking care of twenty-six (by my count) people, and two, it gave me a lot of time to make the rounds at the table and chat with folks. I know there were a lot of people I didn't get to spend much time with, but I was so glad to see all of you there who could make it!
In general, I hate good-byes. As some of you know, I'm a sensitive person and am pretty quick to get teary at happy or sad occasions. I'm doing my best not to dwell on how much I am going to miss the amazing folks I have on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. So far, I've been pretty good about holding it together, though I certainly had trouble getting to sleep after the party on Friday night thinking about it. The way I look at it: I am truly blessed to have so many people in my life whom are so difficult to move away from.
Thankfully, come tomorrow morning, the good-byes will be over (save for Jennifer, my wonderful friend/"sister"/mentor who is joining me for my first week in Cape Town!). From then on, I'll be saying hello to my loved ones via webcam and email, and I'll be starting a whole new adventure. Plus I'm looking forward to possibly making some new friends in the coming months.
Truthfully, I have been feeling next to no anxiety. Partly because I have been preparing for this change for some time and because I know that this is the right thing for me right now (even if it is sad some times). I constantly have my dad's voice in the back of my mind, telling me that no matter what I imagine about the future, it will be different than what I picture. I find that to be freeing and exhilarating! The coming years can go in so many different directions, and yet I have faith that I will find my way.
We should have internet once we get to the apartment on Tuesday. Stayed tuned for updates and pictures.
Here we go, folks!
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