Here and There

This weekend was very interesting, because I had the feeling of wanting to be in two places at once. I knew about all of the things going on at home and at school on Saturday and Sunday, but I was also enjoying my vacation at Pringle Bay on the beach, soaking up the sun. Of course wanting to be two places at once isn't a new feeling for me or anyone for that matter, but when the other place is halfway around the world, it's definitely different.

So this is what I decided: even though I missed out on receiving my award from the University, watching three of my best friends go alum from my sorority, going to church for Palm Sunday, or little hang outs with friends and family, this experience here is something that I will never be able to have again. It is so hard affirming this in my mind because the "what ifs" are always there, but other people in my group have shared similar feelings with me so I know what I'm feeling isn't unusual or something to be worried about. Basically, you just have to live in the moment you are in, appreciate it for what it's worth, learn from it if you can, and leave knowing you've been changed in some way because of it :)

This week is our last week in the schools, and I am already telling myself to not think about saying goodbye to these third graders. Today I was given this note from a little girl in my class; hopefully it helps to explain what this experience has been like for me--

(I'm going to type it exactly like it was written)

"Dear Miss Jennifer- I now everybody in this class loves you very very very very very very very much because you are very very kind and you did teach us you songs and you songs are very very very nice because you from America. I love you for ever from Andiswa"

I will need tissue on Thursday, for sure.

Love and Blessings from me to you,

Jen

Half Past Chats

The people here continue to amaze me.

Yesterday I went into the market in downtown Stellenbosch where many of the local vendors sell their homemade creations. I was on a mission to get a gift (or gifts...) for Joy and Jaclyn, and ended up in conversation with many of the men working at the booths. One particular man named Gordan (sometimes it is hard with the accents and languages) talked to me for over half an hour about international business. He was being truly honest with me about his business practices, and why he charges certain prices to different tourists and customers. He told me about his business degree from the University he attended, and then went on to explain to me the conversion rate between the South African Rand and the American dollar. When I asked him if he did the conversion rate in his head for other countries, he began to explain why the Euro is worth more than the American dollar, as well as how other African countries currencies compare to the South African rand, and how he knew to sell items to different people to make it an equal deal between seller and buyer. This guy knew his stuff, and has definite plans for his businesses future which I believe could be extremely successful.

This is what is so amazing though- I would have never thought this man had such an extensive knowledge of business, much less have already completed two years at a University. I was too quick to judge his past based on his present. As an educator, I can not allow myself to transfer this type of quick assumption to my students. I need to teach them to be critical thinkers; to read between the lines and see what's underneath the surface.

I think this was a great realization for me to have, especially here. I can't wait to learn more about myself in the next three weeks :)

Always Learning, 

Jen

Holiday Adventures!

So much to write about! I have literally packed an entire year into the last 12 days. Since the schools were on holiday, we went on holidays as well and explored more of this beautiful country. Let me tell you, I was not prepared for the beauty in this nation. Everywhere I looked, there were animals roaming freely, mountains surrounding the roads, or the Indian Ocean in the distance. If I were to live life over again from the beginning, I would wish to grow up here surrounded by the amazing beauty of God's creation. I think my camera has more pictures of scenery than of me and the people I'm with, simply because I want to remember the images forever.

Since it has been 11 days since I've had internet accesses, here is what I've been up to:
* Saw and swam in the Indian Ocean
* Going on a real night safari, and watching hyenas eat a dead carcass. Real life Discovery Channel!
* Horseback riding through Addo National Park, and being feet away from Zebras, Water Buffalo, and monkeys in their natural habitat.
* Playing euchre every night :)
* Laying on the grass and gazing at the wide open sky, and being able to see the entire Milky Way.
* Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains.
* Ziplining through the canopy of the African forest.
* Going extreme hiking through the woods and jumping off rocks into a waterfall :)
* Bunjee Jumping (that's right!!) off of the world's tallest bridge. I have a video to prove it!
* Overcoming my fear of small spaces while adventure crawling through the Canga Caves.
* Skydiving over Mossel Bay (google earth it, it's beautiful!). My second time jumping out of a plane in a year, I'm beginning to think I'm crazy.
* Being awarded the Seykora award from GVSU for student contribution to the University, and crying for the first time in weeks because I was so honored and happy to be given the award.


PHEW! Like I said, literally lived a year of my life in the last few days. Now that I'm back to my normal life in Stellenbosch though, I will be able to write more and post some picture maybe :) I know some of you would like to see that! But for now, I am going to go make a grilled cheese sandwich and finish some of my journals for my classes :)

Walk joy, walk brave, walk love, walk strong, and may life always give you song.

Jen