Ok boy do I have a lot to update you on!
Sooo I know im terribly sorry for the lack of updates however, teaching/observing really takes a lot outta you and im so pooped at the end of every day. Aaand me being the procrastinator that I am, doesn’t help much when I have work I want to do, my blog and journal and then work I have to do assignments and papers…rough life I know! So all you working men and women out there who have a 9-5 job…appreciate it because us teachers don’t even have a set schedule, we go to work teaching all day then stay after hours to help and then we go home and do more work to prepare for the next day on our own watch...for your children. However, seeing those students succeed is the real compensation, and ya cant put a price on pride. I know I saw it 100 times but I really have been enjoying what I have been seeing so far. Being in 6th grade is a lot of fun! Anyways, I know I have a lot to update and im about to be going away for the weekend again soo ill see what I can squeeze in here for ya. Well we have had 3 weeks of school already (I guess 2 because its been 10 school days, but over 3 weeks time) and since I already told you about my first few days I will start where I left off and tell you about our first weekend since we have been teaching and reuniting together! Friday night (July 22), Randall took Melissa and me to Strand Beach. It was really nice and pretty here. It was not as touristy as the beaches we have been to thus far, the market sold things like house hold items, shampoo, cleaner, shoes, and thins like that, for much lower prices then we had been seeing. I got a headband cause it was so much cheaper then at any store like Clicks, which is like a CVS or Wallgreens. Anyways, we walked along the beach took some nice picts and then went to Gordans Bay. We had been here one before with the group but it was a nice place to visit again. We grabbed some dinner…FISH AND CHIPS!! I ATE IT AGAIN!! Haah I was so hungry I ate the whole thing! I still don’t like it tho, I was starving and had to wash each bite down lol but I was doing what you do when you are out at the beach. But ok enough of that im moving on…Saturday morning (July 23) we got dropped off at Rhodes Memorial to finally reunite after 3 whole days!! This was to be another “flat” hike “around” the mountain, which really means, “Hard hike up the mountain”. If you haven’t caught on to the sarcasm by now, its something you need to get used to. You never know what to believe here. Anyways, Im not complaining we had a very nice time. It was a long and occasionally leisurely hike. We found a beautiful waterfall and little area where we beaked, filled up waters, did a little rock climbing and played around in the nature. This is something, while I already new it, that I love to do. Being outside, hiking, climbing and being in nature is defiantly my favorite things to do. That and the weather, even when its cold and rainy, is something South Africans take for granted. The beauty of this country is overwhelming. Im so jealous! That being said, our day together was quite nice. Once we finished our hike we grabbed something to eat and then said our farewells, to a FULL week of teaching before we would reunite again! Upon arriving home, I was pooped from the long day of hiking and went to bed pretty early. Sunday was going to be a fun day celebrating “Christmas in July”. It was a big lunch fundraiser for the church the Keets belongs to. Marena was up so late Saturday night preparing food and then got there at 6 in the morning to prepare and set up more. At the lunch I saw Granny (Marena’s mother) Carol, her sister and many other family and friends I have been meeting. Randall, Lelyand (his cousin) and I hung out together. They all kept trying to get everyone to look at me, like they weren’t already, haha it was all in good fun though, everyone was very nice and welcoming! There was music playing and lots of people having a good time throughout the 5-course meal! It started off with a vegetable or butternut soup, I had the vegetable, then curry with rice, then more meat; roast beef and chicken with vegetables and potatoes and then dissert, malva pudding, donuts and sweets! I had the malva pudding, which is like cake and pudding sooo good; I think it might be my new favorite dessert. Then with out stomach full we heading home to just hang out for a little while Marena had to stay and clean up! So much hard work, but it was totally worth it! After a few hours Charles and I went to picker Marena back up and then we headed over to their friends Astrid’s house for tea. I have really begun to enjoy this ‘tea time’. It’s nice in the evening after dinner to sit and chat and enjoy one another’s company, talk about the day or whatever. Nana and Papa we might just have to start doing this! There are usually desserts too haha so I ate again! Just like a muffin or something. They also put cheese on the muffins, I tried it, it wasn’t so bad, but I prefer butter or jam still lol. We spent a good time there but we were all tired from eating all day and Marena had been working her butt off so, we headed home for a good nights sleep and a full week to come of teaching!
Not too long until my return to the states! This is all going by so fast, but its true time flys when your having fun! (But don’t worry I promise I WILL get in all the updates before I come back!) Have a nice weekend everyone, do something crazyy.......i know i will ;)
Love always,
Erin
Thanks for the post! Sounds like you are enjoying school and making an impact on someone elses life. It can be quite overwhelming. The Christmas in July feast sounded great! Too bad you don't know how to make your favorite pasta with normal noodles :). You could have brought it! I know you are off on another excursion and I am sure we will all be quite envious! Please post soon! I love you and miss you!
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