Monday, December 29, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Marigold...like the flower
So today I watched one of those Bollywood/Hollywood movies with my mom starring Ali Larter from Heros and Salman Khan from one of my all time favorite movies: Hum Aapke Hain Koun and there was an interesting part about there being seven stages of love, so I thought I'd post them. .
Seven Stages of love:
Attraction
Infatuation
Love
Reverence
Worship
Obsession
Death
Christmas
Well I made Zucchini bread but it was a bit disasterous because I accidentally took it out before it was ready so the bottom fell out. It was really tragic but the parts that were done still tasted good haha. And my mom got me just what I wanted! The collectors edition of The Tales of Beedle the Bard
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Holiday Timepass
Well I've been home for over a week now. It's wet and cold and icy but familiar and comfortable at the same time. I've been spending most of my free time with Rosie which is nice, eating pizza and lots of Thai food haha. Hanukkah started on Monday. My mom is making Latkes for Christmas tomorrow and I'm making Zucchini bread and attempting Malva Pudding, hope it goes ok.
I saw Andrew at the post office today, it was a little bit awkward cause I wasn't sure if I should stop and hug him or what but he just said 'hi' and kept on going lol. I'm so smooth...
Well not much else going on. I hung out with Grant and peeps last night, it had been a while so that was nice. We played beer pong but I just had water, I also suck horribly so it's a good think there wasn't alcohol involved on my part,
Guess that's it for the update.
I saw Andrew at the post office today, it was a little bit awkward cause I wasn't sure if I should stop and hug him or what but he just said 'hi' and kept on going lol. I'm so smooth...
Well not much else going on. I hung out with Grant and peeps last night, it had been a while so that was nice. We played beer pong but I just had water, I also suck horribly so it's a good think there wasn't alcohol involved on my part,
Guess that's it for the update.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Birthdays and Home Comings
I'm HOME!!! We left Pune on the 11th for Delhi and then spent three days going around Mussoorie, Rishikesh and Haredwar with Naveen and Chinu. It was beautiful and a lot of fun. I miss it already. My birthday was really nice too. We went and saw the new Shahrukh Khan movie! and then my mom had work and then I went out to dinner. It was so sweet and fun and perfect. I can't believe I'm 20 now. It's nice to be back but there's snow everywhere, ick, and it's freezing outside, I can't take it!!! Oh well, I like the holidays and I'm looking forward to all the Hot Chocolate. Yum.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
In Limbo
India! I've already been here for a week and it's just flown by. The minute I stepped off the plane in Mumbai I just felt so calm and right in place. Going to Vaishali Monday afternoon was comforting in its familiarity. The waiters welcomed us with broad grins and happy 'hellos.' My favorite dish was perfect, Onion Uttappa dipped in Sambar. The slight spice didn't even bother me.
Then a few days later at Madhuban eating Pav Bhaji with my mom. The waiter knew what my mom wanted right away. I ordered extra Pav and stuffed myself until I couldn't eat anymore. My Orange Mirinda helped ease the burn on my tongue and a dessert of Butterscotch ice cream soaked out the ache and created a satisfied, content feeling in my stomach.
On Sunday I went to my Tabla teacher's house to listen as the older students practiced. It was so nice to just sit and listen as the boys joked around with Aditi and played faster than I could ever hope to. Their fingers fly over the top of the Tabla and Bhaya, the sound echoing deep and strong. I've missed it.
My time here feels like I am in limbo. I love it here but I've been feeling odd, sad, uncomfortable. I'm tired all the time and stressed. I don't know what it is but I hope I work things out soon.
I can't believe Thanksgiving is the day after tomorrow. I only have a little over two weeks left in Pune and then I fly to Delhi on the 11th. My mom, Chinu, Naveen and I are going to Misoouri and Rishikesh for a couple of days before my birthday. I'm excited, I think it will be a lot of fun. I also can't wait to go home for Christmas though.
I love winter in PT. Sitting in the store by the fire and reading, going to Elevated for hot chocolate with Rosie, driving into town and seeing snowflake christmas lights hung over main street. There's such a comforting, familiar feeling to it. I'm really looking forward to it.
Then a few days later at Madhuban eating Pav Bhaji with my mom. The waiter knew what my mom wanted right away. I ordered extra Pav and stuffed myself until I couldn't eat anymore. My Orange Mirinda helped ease the burn on my tongue and a dessert of Butterscotch ice cream soaked out the ache and created a satisfied, content feeling in my stomach.
On Sunday I went to my Tabla teacher's house to listen as the older students practiced. It was so nice to just sit and listen as the boys joked around with Aditi and played faster than I could ever hope to. Their fingers fly over the top of the Tabla and Bhaya, the sound echoing deep and strong. I've missed it.
My time here feels like I am in limbo. I love it here but I've been feeling odd, sad, uncomfortable. I'm tired all the time and stressed. I don't know what it is but I hope I work things out soon.
I can't believe Thanksgiving is the day after tomorrow. I only have a little over two weeks left in Pune and then I fly to Delhi on the 11th. My mom, Chinu, Naveen and I are going to Misoouri and Rishikesh for a couple of days before my birthday. I'm excited, I think it will be a lot of fun. I also can't wait to go home for Christmas though.
I love winter in PT. Sitting in the store by the fire and reading, going to Elevated for hot chocolate with Rosie, driving into town and seeing snowflake christmas lights hung over main street. There's such a comforting, familiar feeling to it. I'm really looking forward to it.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
End of an Era
On Thursday as we made our way to the winelands I looked up at Table Mountain unable to see the top as it was covered in fog. High winds made it impossible for the cable cars to make their way up so the Mt. was closed. It was beautiful to see the clouds seeping into the mountains crevices, they gave off an impression of mist pouring over a waterfall.
Today the sky was clear and the weather was hot as we waited in line to go up. Finally we got into a cable car and made our way up 1,063 meters to the top. The view was spectacular. Capetown spread out on all sides with the clear aqua colored water of the carribean lapping at the shore of the beaches, turning a rich dark blue as it deepened. I could stare at the water for hours.
Tomorrow we leave for India. I can't believe another semester is over, another experience is ending. I am starting to understand how fast life can pass you by, it's an interesting realization. I'm looking forward to going but I will miss South Africa. I will miss this place that has given me so many new moments, changing me in ways I have yet to discover. But hopefully I will make my way back here some day...
Today the sky was clear and the weather was hot as we waited in line to go up. Finally we got into a cable car and made our way up 1,063 meters to the top. The view was spectacular. Capetown spread out on all sides with the clear aqua colored water of the carribean lapping at the shore of the beaches, turning a rich dark blue as it deepened. I could stare at the water for hours.
Tomorrow we leave for India. I can't believe another semester is over, another experience is ending. I am starting to understand how fast life can pass you by, it's an interesting realization. I'm looking forward to going but I will miss South Africa. I will miss this place that has given me so many new moments, changing me in ways I have yet to discover. But hopefully I will make my way back here some day...
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Adults have over 2000 spots!
Cape Town is gorgeous. The weather was rainy today so we weren't able to go up Table Mountain but we drove to the wine-lands which was a good consolation prize. We went to the SPIER winery and my mom did a wine tasting and even bought some. Part of the property is also dedicated to a "Cheetah Outreach" program. They have twelve adults and four cubs fenced in and people can go in and pet them during the day. The project is having cheetahs who have been born in captivity and raised by humans act as "ambassadors." You pay a certain amount to go pet the cheetah and the money goes to breeding Anatolian Shepherd Guard dogs which guard livestock from wild cheetahs so that farmers will stop shooting them. There are only about 10,000 left, and they are the most endangered big cat in the world. So long story short, I got to pet a cheetah today, it was amazing! He was lying down and there was someone there with him just in case things went wrong but it was fine, cheetahs sleep 16-18hrs a day anyway so he kind of just acted like we weren't even there. Some part of me felt pretty weird about the fact that these are 'tame' cheetahs living closed in but they seemed happy, they had a lot of space and they don't seem to mind the attention. And if it's helping to save cheetahs from extinction then that's pretty cool right? My mom and I got to pet a six year old adult named Kaya but I saw the four cubs that are apparently going to California next week to be part of a sister organization. They are so beautiful...
Monday, November 10, 2008
Testicle Takedown
So my mom and I have left Joburg. She enjoyed her time walking around, seeing the sights and now we are in Durban. We left Joburg Saturday morning and ended up taking two wrong turns, accidentally driving off the road and getting TWO flat tires. It was pretty traumatic. Finally after about 91/2 hours of driving we got to White Elephant Safari Lodge (named for the Albino Elephant born in the area about a decade ago). Sunday we woke up early and went on a boat ride, we saw White Rhinos and way too many types of birds for me to remember. Apparently the only difference between White and Black Rhinos is size, Black ones are smaller and endangered...
In the afternoon we went on a game drive and saw Giraffes and their babies :)
Giraffes are so graceful and can get up to 60km/hr when they run. Our ranger, Phillip, told us that the Kruger Park Pride is known for taking down male Giraffes. When a male goes to drink water a single Lioness can take kill him by jumping up, biting into his testicles and just hanging until he can't take it anymore and falls over. She can only do this when he's drinking though because he has to spread out his front lets at an awkward angle so he can bend down all the way to quench his thirst. I thought that was pretty amazing.
There were also Mpala everywhere. They have markings on their butts that look like the McDonald's "M" and Phillip said they are called the McDonalds of the jungle because there are so many and everything eats them. Today we left White Elephant and drove to Durban. It's nice to be out of the car.
What's a baby Mpala called?
A Happy Meal!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Buzzing Insanity
Yay my mama is getting to Johannesburg tonight! I can't wait to see her, it's been like four months! Ugh on the downside my Internship essay is almost half finished and is waaaaay boring to write. But oh well, as always I will get it done. I've also been looking at internships for BGIA and getting my application stuff together. I'm pretty excited about January, especially cause I have friends who will be in the city so I won't be quite so alone.
Oh man, last night there was this huge mosquito in my room buzzing around. It kept flying by my ear and keeping me awake. I didn't go to sleep until almost 4am what with the oven that was my room and the little bloodsucker supposedly in love with my ear. Before I even got to bed he bit me about 5 times and my legs itch like crazy. I ended up going to my friends room to sleep since it's empty while he's traveling so I wouldn't be eaten alive.
I really hope that bug isn't still in here somewhere waiting to keep me awake for another night, I will go crazy.
I'm looking forward to watch the election results on TV in the wee hours of the morning. I can't believe it's already time! Good luck America...
Oh man, last night there was this huge mosquito in my room buzzing around. It kept flying by my ear and keeping me awake. I didn't go to sleep until almost 4am what with the oven that was my room and the little bloodsucker supposedly in love with my ear. Before I even got to bed he bit me about 5 times and my legs itch like crazy. I ended up going to my friends room to sleep since it's empty while he's traveling so I wouldn't be eaten alive.
I really hope that bug isn't still in here somewhere waiting to keep me awake for another night, I will go crazy.
I'm looking forward to watch the election results on TV in the wee hours of the morning. I can't believe it's already time! Good luck America...
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Love Of My South African Life
MALVA PUDDING
cake
2 Tbsp butter
1 tsp white vinegar
1/2 cup milk
1 1/3 cups cake flour
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 cup castor sugar
2 large eggs
1 Tbsp smooth apricot jam
sauce
1 cup double cream
115g butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup water, orange juice or sherry
cake
2 Tbsp butter
1 tsp white vinegar
1/2 cup milk
1 1/3 cups cake flour
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 cup castor sugar
2 large eggs
1 Tbsp smooth apricot jam
sauce
1 cup double cream
115g butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup water, orange juice or sherry
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
To make the pudding, melt the butter together with the vinegar and milk in a small pan over low heat. Remove from the heat and set aside
Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together into a separate bowl.
Beat the castor sugar and eggs with an electric mixer until fluffy and light. Gradually mix in the apricot jam.
Fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture, alternately with the warm milk mixture. Pour the batter into a greased 24 x 34 cm ovenproof baking dish and bake for 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the centre comes out clean.
To make the sauce, place the cream, butter, sugar and water in a saucepan and stir over moderate heat until the butter has melted and sugar dissolved. Do not let mixture boil.
Remove the pudding from the oven, pierce several times with a skewer or fork and pour the hot cream mixture over the hot pudding.
Serve hot or cold.
From: Bon appetit, Mr President!
By: Hilton Little
To make the pudding, melt the butter together with the vinegar and milk in a small pan over low heat. Remove from the heat and set aside
Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together into a separate bowl.
Beat the castor sugar and eggs with an electric mixer until fluffy and light. Gradually mix in the apricot jam.
Fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture, alternately with the warm milk mixture. Pour the batter into a greased 24 x 34 cm ovenproof baking dish and bake for 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the centre comes out clean.
To make the sauce, place the cream, butter, sugar and water in a saucepan and stir over moderate heat until the butter has melted and sugar dissolved. Do not let mixture boil.
Remove the pudding from the oven, pierce several times with a skewer or fork and pour the hot cream mixture over the hot pudding.
Serve hot or cold.
From: Bon appetit, Mr President!
By: Hilton Little
Friday, October 31, 2008
Sister Babe
Sister babe
I know you are reaching
Deep inside to scratch
At an itch that won't go.
We always look outside ourselves
For something to fix the wrongs.
But we always come back,
Basket empty, bearing no fruit.
How do we go about
Truly seeing within?
How do we heal
Ourselves?
Your eyes are so glassy
These days.
But you don't notice
Because your grin is stretched wide
Across a flawless face.
Or maybe...
I'm wrong
And I just judge because
You don't mind running
While I have nowhere to go...
I know you are reaching
Deep inside to scratch
At an itch that won't go.
We always look outside ourselves
For something to fix the wrongs.
But we always come back,
Basket empty, bearing no fruit.
How do we go about
Truly seeing within?
How do we heal
Ourselves?
Your eyes are so glassy
These days.
But you don't notice
Because your grin is stretched wide
Across a flawless face.
Or maybe...
I'm wrong
And I just judge because
You don't mind running
While I have nowhere to go...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Staying for Life
I'm beginning to see.
Trust so easily broken.
Be careful.
I'm glad you're always there.
No matter what.
Trust so easily broken.
Be careful.
I'm glad you're always there.
No matter what.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Absolute Thunder Storms
Friday was my core course exam, it was pretty simplistic. The day was filled with hot coco, Bowl's Club pizza, and followed by an interesting evening of IHRE farewell. It was nice. Yesterday was a slow day. I said goodbye to CKM as they headed off to Capetown, it's crazy how I'll probably never see K&M again. I'm not really that torn up about it though. Plus it's a small world so I guess you never know.
Lydia, Amanda and I made our way to Rosebank on a quest for Subway but it closed right as we got there. Very dissappointing. Our night was made up of Amanda's friend's friends and a thunder storm. I got pretty excited about it and ran out to frolic in the rain, fun stuff :)
Today was spent at Rosebank buying presents for people at the African Market. We then watched a very strange but beautiful movie called Before the Rains. It made me miss India...
Tomorrow is my Philosophy exam. I have studied and feel pretty prepared. I can't believe after that I will only have a ridiculous essay to write. My mom comes a week from Tuesday!
The previous tenant of my room left behind a bunch of her writing. I've been reading through some of it and it's pretty good. She strings words together in a really beautiful way, I'm envious.
I bought a Snickers bar today at Clicks. I haven't seen one in so long, I didn't know they had them here. I can't wait to eat it.
I'm happy.
Lydia, Amanda and I made our way to Rosebank on a quest for Subway but it closed right as we got there. Very dissappointing. Our night was made up of Amanda's friend's friends and a thunder storm. I got pretty excited about it and ran out to frolic in the rain, fun stuff :)
Today was spent at Rosebank buying presents for people at the African Market. We then watched a very strange but beautiful movie called Before the Rains. It made me miss India...
Tomorrow is my Philosophy exam. I have studied and feel pretty prepared. I can't believe after that I will only have a ridiculous essay to write. My mom comes a week from Tuesday!
The previous tenant of my room left behind a bunch of her writing. I've been reading through some of it and it's pretty good. She strings words together in a really beautiful way, I'm envious.
I bought a Snickers bar today at Clicks. I haven't seen one in so long, I didn't know they had them here. I can't wait to eat it.
I'm happy.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Pulitzer
So a while ago I told Dan I wanted to read all the Pulitzer prize books, maybe in a certain section, maybe picking and choosing between them, I wasn't sure how to go about it.
Then, today I was looking at other blogs and I found the 'Pulitzer Project' which is to read all 82 books that have won the Pulitzer prize in Fiction, perfect. So I'm thinking I may go ahead and do this, there's no time limit, and it would be fun. I have really enjoyed the few books I've read that have been awarded the Pulitzer so why not? Anyone want to join me?
The List
2008 - The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (Diaz)
2007 - The Road (McCarthy)
2006 - March (Brooks)
2005 - Gilead (Robinson)
2004 - The Known World (Jones)
2003 - Middlesex (Eugenides)
2002 - Empire Falls (Russo)
2001 - The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay (Chabon)
2000 - Interpreter of Maladies (Lahiri)
1999 - The Hours (Cunningham)
1998 - American Pastoral (Roth)
1997 - Martin Dressler: The Tale of an American Dreamer (Millhauser)
1996 - Independence Day (Ford)
1995 - The Stone Diaries (Shields)
1994 - The Shipping News (Proulx)
1993 - A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain (Butler)
1992 - A Thousand Acres (Smiley)
1991 - Rabbit at Rest (Updike)
1990 - The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love (Hijuelos)
1989 - Breathing Lessons (Tyler)
1988 - Beloved (Morrison)
1987 - A Summons to Memphis (Taylor)
1986 - Lonesome Dove (McMurtry)
1985 - Foreign Affairs (Lurie)
1984 - Ironweed (Kennedy)
1983 - The Color Purple (Walker)
1982 - Rabbit is Rich (Updike)
1981 - A Confederacy of Dunces (Toole)
1980 - The Executioner’s Song (Mailer)
1979 - The Stories of John Cheever (Cheever)
1978 - Elbow Room (McPherson)
1977 - None given
1976 - Humboldt’s Gift (Bellow)
1975 - The Killer Angels (Shaara)
1974 - None given
1973 - The Optimist’s Daughter (Welty)
1972 - Angle of Repose (Stegner)
1971 - None given
1970 - Collected Stories by Jean Stafford (Stafford)
1969 - House Made of Dawn (Momaday)
1968 - The Confessions of Nat Turner (Styron)
1967 - The Fixer (Malamud)
1966 - Collected Stories by Katherine Anne Porter (Porter)
1965 - The Keepers Of the House (Grau)
1964 - None given
1963 - The Reivers (Faulkner)
1962 - The Edge of Sadness (Edwin O’Connor)
1961 - To Kill a Mockingbird (Lee)
1960 - Advise and Consent (Drury)
1959 - The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (Taylor)
1958 - A Death in the Family (Agee)
1957 - None
1956 - Andersonville (Kantor)
1955 - A Fable (Faulkner)
1954 - None
1953 - The Old Man and the Sea (Hemingway)
1952 - The Caine Mutiny (Wouk)
1951 - The Town (Richter)
1950 - The Way West (Guthrie)
1949 - Guard of Honor (Cozzens)
1948 - Tales of the South Pacific (Michener)
1947 - All the King’s Men (Warren)
1946 - None
1945 - Bell for Adano (Hersey)
1944 - Journey in the Dark (Flavin)
1943 - Dragon’s Teeth I (Sinclair)
1942 - In This Our Life (Glasgow)
1941 - None
1940 - The Grapes of Wrath (Steinbeck)
1939 - The Yearling (Rawlings)
1938 - The Late George Apley (Marquand)
1937 - Gone with the Wind (Mitchell)
1936 - Honey in the Horn (Davis)
1935 - Now in November (Johnson)
1934 - Lamb in His Bosom (Miller)
1933 - The Store (Stribling)
1932 - The Good Earth (Buck)
1931 - Years of Grace (Barnes)
1930 - Laughing Boy (Lafarge)
1929 - Scarlet Sister Mary (Peterkin)
1928 - The Bridge of San Luis Rey (Wilder)
1927 - Early Autumn (Bromfield)
1926 - Arrowsmith (Lewis)
1925 - So Big (Ferber)
1924 - The Able McLauglins (Wilson)
1923 - One of Ours (Cather)
1922 - Alice Adams (Tarkington)
1921 - The Age of Innocence (Wharton)
1920 - None
1919 - The Magnificent Ambersons (Tarkington)
1918 - His Family (Poole)
Then, today I was looking at other blogs and I found the 'Pulitzer Project' which is to read all 82 books that have won the Pulitzer prize in Fiction, perfect. So I'm thinking I may go ahead and do this, there's no time limit, and it would be fun. I have really enjoyed the few books I've read that have been awarded the Pulitzer so why not? Anyone want to join me?
The List
2008 - The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (Diaz)
2007 - The Road (McCarthy)
2006 - March (Brooks)
2005 - Gilead (Robinson)
2004 - The Known World (Jones)
2003 - Middlesex (Eugenides)
2002 - Empire Falls (Russo)
2001 - The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay (Chabon)
2000 - Interpreter of Maladies (Lahiri)
1999 - The Hours (Cunningham)
1998 - American Pastoral (Roth)
1997 - Martin Dressler: The Tale of an American Dreamer (Millhauser)
1996 - Independence Day (Ford)
1995 - The Stone Diaries (Shields)
1994 - The Shipping News (Proulx)
1993 - A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain (Butler)
1992 - A Thousand Acres (Smiley)
1991 - Rabbit at Rest (Updike)
1990 - The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love (Hijuelos)
1989 - Breathing Lessons (Tyler)
1988 - Beloved (Morrison)
1987 - A Summons to Memphis (Taylor)
1986 - Lonesome Dove (McMurtry)
1985 - Foreign Affairs (Lurie)
1984 - Ironweed (Kennedy)
1983 - The Color Purple (Walker)
1982 - Rabbit is Rich (Updike)
1981 - A Confederacy of Dunces (Toole)
1980 - The Executioner’s Song (Mailer)
1979 - The Stories of John Cheever (Cheever)
1978 - Elbow Room (McPherson)
1977 - None given
1976 - Humboldt’s Gift (Bellow)
1975 - The Killer Angels (Shaara)
1974 - None given
1973 - The Optimist’s Daughter (Welty)
1972 - Angle of Repose (Stegner)
1971 - None given
1970 - Collected Stories by Jean Stafford (Stafford)
1969 - House Made of Dawn (Momaday)
1968 - The Confessions of Nat Turner (Styron)
1967 - The Fixer (Malamud)
1966 - Collected Stories by Katherine Anne Porter (Porter)
1965 - The Keepers Of the House (Grau)
1964 - None given
1963 - The Reivers (Faulkner)
1962 - The Edge of Sadness (Edwin O’Connor)
1961 - To Kill a Mockingbird (Lee)
1960 - Advise and Consent (Drury)
1959 - The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (Taylor)
1958 - A Death in the Family (Agee)
1957 - None
1956 - Andersonville (Kantor)
1955 - A Fable (Faulkner)
1954 - None
1953 - The Old Man and the Sea (Hemingway)
1952 - The Caine Mutiny (Wouk)
1951 - The Town (Richter)
1950 - The Way West (Guthrie)
1949 - Guard of Honor (Cozzens)
1948 - Tales of the South Pacific (Michener)
1947 - All the King’s Men (Warren)
1946 - None
1945 - Bell for Adano (Hersey)
1944 - Journey in the Dark (Flavin)
1943 - Dragon’s Teeth I (Sinclair)
1942 - In This Our Life (Glasgow)
1941 - None
1940 - The Grapes of Wrath (Steinbeck)
1939 - The Yearling (Rawlings)
1938 - The Late George Apley (Marquand)
1937 - Gone with the Wind (Mitchell)
1936 - Honey in the Horn (Davis)
1935 - Now in November (Johnson)
1934 - Lamb in His Bosom (Miller)
1933 - The Store (Stribling)
1932 - The Good Earth (Buck)
1931 - Years of Grace (Barnes)
1930 - Laughing Boy (Lafarge)
1929 - Scarlet Sister Mary (Peterkin)
1928 - The Bridge of San Luis Rey (Wilder)
1927 - Early Autumn (Bromfield)
1926 - Arrowsmith (Lewis)
1925 - So Big (Ferber)
1924 - The Able McLauglins (Wilson)
1923 - One of Ours (Cather)
1922 - Alice Adams (Tarkington)
1921 - The Age of Innocence (Wharton)
1920 - None
1919 - The Magnificent Ambersons (Tarkington)
1918 - His Family (Poole)
In Limbo
It's my last day of work. Even though I have spent some of my time here bored, with nothing to do, I have also spent time being very busy, helping client after client and it's been good. I know it can't always be busy, retail has definitely taught me that. I've enjoyed my experience at LHR, I do believe I will miss this place and the people I've met.
Tomorrow is my second exam, after that there's one exam and one essay left. Two weeks left and then my mom and I are off to Durban and Capetown. Hopefully my next adventure into South Africa's 'Little India' will exclude being mugged.
I'm in limbo, it seems like so long ago that I was on my way here, nervous, excited, unsure, and now I'm on my way out with similar feelings.
I'm excited for BGIA in the spring.I got the job as PC (peer councilor) so I'm really happy about that :D
I hope it's at least as good as my experience here is SA has been because that would make it really good, though it will be very different.
Tomorrow is my second exam, after that there's one exam and one essay left. Two weeks left and then my mom and I are off to Durban and Capetown. Hopefully my next adventure into South Africa's 'Little India' will exclude being mugged.
I'm in limbo, it seems like so long ago that I was on my way here, nervous, excited, unsure, and now I'm on my way out with similar feelings.
I'm excited for BGIA in the spring.I got the job as PC (peer councilor) so I'm really happy about that :D
I hope it's at least as good as my experience here is SA has been because that would make it really good, though it will be very different.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
City Johannesburg (1972)
This way I salute you:
My hand pulses to my back trousers pocket
Or into my inner jacket pocket
For my pass, my life,
Jo'burg City.
My hand like a starved snake rears my pockets
For my thin, ever lean wallet,
While my stomach groans a friendly smile to hunger,
Jo'burg City.
My stomach also devours coppers and papers
Don't you know?
Jo'burg City, I salute you:
When I run out, or roar in a bus to you,
I leave behind me, my love,
My comic houses and people, my dongas and my ever
whirling dust,
My death
That's so related to me as a wink to the eye.
Jo'burg City
I travel on your black and white and robotted roads
Through your thick iron breath that you inhale
At six in the morning and exhale from five noon.
Jo'burg City
That is the time when I leave you,
When your neon flowers flaunt from your electrical wind,
That is the time when I leave you,
When your neon flowers flaunt their way through the
falling darkness
On your cement trees.
And as I go back, to my love,
My dongas, my dust, my people, my death,
Where death lurks in the dark like a blade in the flesh,
I can feel your roots, anchoring your might, my feebleness
In my flesh, in my mind, in my blood,
And everything about you says it,
That, that is all you need of me.
Jo'burg City, Johannesburg,
Listen when I tell you,
There is no fun, nothing, in it,
When you leave the women and men with such frozen
expressions,
Expressions that have tears like furrows of soil erosion,
Jo'burg City, you are dry like death,
Jo'burg City, Johannesburg, Jo'burg City.
-Morgane Wally Serote
My hand pulses to my back trousers pocket
Or into my inner jacket pocket
For my pass, my life,
Jo'burg City.
My hand like a starved snake rears my pockets
For my thin, ever lean wallet,
While my stomach groans a friendly smile to hunger,
Jo'burg City.
My stomach also devours coppers and papers
Don't you know?
Jo'burg City, I salute you:
When I run out, or roar in a bus to you,
I leave behind me, my love,
My comic houses and people, my dongas and my ever
whirling dust,
My death
That's so related to me as a wink to the eye.
Jo'burg City
I travel on your black and white and robotted roads
Through your thick iron breath that you inhale
At six in the morning and exhale from five noon.
Jo'burg City
That is the time when I leave you,
When your neon flowers flaunt from your electrical wind,
That is the time when I leave you,
When your neon flowers flaunt their way through the
falling darkness
On your cement trees.
And as I go back, to my love,
My dongas, my dust, my people, my death,
Where death lurks in the dark like a blade in the flesh,
I can feel your roots, anchoring your might, my feebleness
In my flesh, in my mind, in my blood,
And everything about you says it,
That, that is all you need of me.
Jo'burg City, Johannesburg,
Listen when I tell you,
There is no fun, nothing, in it,
When you leave the women and men with such frozen
expressions,
Expressions that have tears like furrows of soil erosion,
Jo'burg City, you are dry like death,
Jo'burg City, Johannesburg, Jo'burg City.
-Morgane Wally Serote
Ready or Not
Time is moving quickly as I get ready to leave this place. Joburg City has taken me in for a while and now that it's given me as much as it could, it's time for me to go.
It's time to move on, I can feel it in my bones and hear it in my thoughts.
I'm fond of this city, with its diverse population, polluted sunsets, purple trees, dangerous streets, and constant beauty that can be found as long as you're looking. There's definitely something about it that draws you in and keeps you.
Life is changing, I hope I'm ready for it...
It's time to move on, I can feel it in my bones and hear it in my thoughts.
I'm fond of this city, with its diverse population, polluted sunsets, purple trees, dangerous streets, and constant beauty that can be found as long as you're looking. There's definitely something about it that draws you in and keeps you.
Life is changing, I hope I'm ready for it...
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Precarious Edge
So familiar...
Don't sink in again, you know where that leads.
Left to reach, aching and alone.
Don't sink in again, you know where that leads.
Left to reach, aching and alone.
Discombobulated Fervor
It's a wonder really, the relationships people create and maintain. The families that exist between strangers and the distance that can grow between those we call our own. I am amazed at the strength people have and I wonder if I could be that strong, that resilient...
I think I have a sense of the person I am and the person I want to become, but it's confusing and oh so difficult not to worry that it's all going to turn out horribly wrong. What if I spend my whole life waiting and one day realize my life has passed me by...I definitely don't want to end up regretting a life not lived.
I feel so...jaded by the world. Apathetic, touched by other people's heartaches but not motivated enough to solve problems. I guess I take my experiences for granted, I am grateful, I would not be the person I am without all that I have seen and the bit I have done within my short life. But...what am I going to do with it all? I'd really like to know...
I think I have a sense of the person I am and the person I want to become, but it's confusing and oh so difficult not to worry that it's all going to turn out horribly wrong. What if I spend my whole life waiting and one day realize my life has passed me by...I definitely don't want to end up regretting a life not lived.
I feel so...jaded by the world. Apathetic, touched by other people's heartaches but not motivated enough to solve problems. I guess I take my experiences for granted, I am grateful, I would not be the person I am without all that I have seen and the bit I have done within my short life. But...what am I going to do with it all? I'd really like to know...
Friday, October 17, 2008
The Dream in the Next Body
Cinnamon
I fall outside
the warm stole
of history.
Eyes run down my skin
like a single finger.
I find you
open as a tent.
You are cinnamon
curved around me.
-Gabeba Baderoon
I fall outside
the warm stole
of history.
Eyes run down my skin
like a single finger.
I find you
open as a tent.
You are cinnamon
curved around me.
-Gabeba Baderoon
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Warm and Windy
I had my first exam yesterday: Culture and HR. I think it went pretty well :)
Today is one of my last days at LHR. I've been here since 9am and it's almost 4pm but it's been a good day. It was busy so it went by fast, I like days like this. I've really enjoyed my time at my internship, I feel like I've been exposed to an interesting part of the hr field. NGOs and global civil society, it's good stuff.
I bought a poetry book called The Dream in the next Body yesterday. The author is one of the people I saw read last week :)
I missed the debates last night :( I stayed up until just about 3am and then accidentally fell asleep, laaaaaaaaaaaame I know. I guess I will just have to watch them online. I can't believe the election is only 3 weeks away.
It's so warm and windy these days, perfect weather...
Today is one of my last days at LHR. I've been here since 9am and it's almost 4pm but it's been a good day. It was busy so it went by fast, I like days like this. I've really enjoyed my time at my internship, I feel like I've been exposed to an interesting part of the hr field. NGOs and global civil society, it's good stuff.
I bought a poetry book called The Dream in the next Body yesterday. The author is one of the people I saw read last week :)
I missed the debates last night :( I stayed up until just about 3am and then accidentally fell asleep, laaaaaaaaaaaame I know. I guess I will just have to watch them online. I can't believe the election is only 3 weeks away.
It's so warm and windy these days, perfect weather...
Sunday, October 12, 2008
I love me some saxaphone
Some of my life building blocks have come tumbling down around me lately. I wonder at their failure to remain secure and glance inward to see what I've done to cause this destruction. I'm not sure if what I've become recently has created this fall from grace or if I just made a wrong move that could only been seen as such upon reflection and would have occurred no matter what. Sorry if that last bit didn't quite make sense, a lot of it doesn't make sense to me either...
It's been worth it right? Yes it has been.
What are you going to make of yourself? I still have no idea...
Can you chase your dream? I don't know if I have the courage
Well...you should get on that...
It's been worth it right? Yes it has been.
What are you going to make of yourself? I still have no idea...
Can you chase your dream? I don't know if I have the courage
Well...you should get on that...
Thursday, October 9, 2008
One Month Left
Last night I woke up around mindnight to a thunder storm. I could see lightening flashing through my curtains and hear rain pouring down, it was so loud at one point I thought that it was coming in through the window. It was kind of funny to have such a huge rain storm after almost two days without running water.
Classes are over. I'm done. All I have left is one essay and three exams, wish me luck.
Classes are over. I'm done. All I have left is one essay and three exams, wish me luck.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
"Our Word is Our Weapon"
Tomorrow is my last day of class. I can't believe it's finally coming to an end. I was not very thrilled about coming to South Africa and I remember when I arrived four months seemed like such a long time. But it's gone by so fast and I've had a blast, really. It's amazing how familiar and normal life is now, when I think to myself "I'm in South Africa" it sounds so different, like another place entirely, but here I am, it's become a home for the time being.
I worry that I haven't changed much, that this trip won't have affected me "enough." I feel so alive and interested here and I'm afraid I will become jaded and apathetic again upon returning to the states.
Last night I went to a poetry reading by Antjie Krog who wrote one of the books we had to read Country of My Skull I really like her writing style. She's actually Afrikaans so most of her work is in Afrikaans, and apparently she can't write her poetry in English, it just doesn't come to her that way so she translates it after if she wants. She read some of her Afrikaans poetry, it was interesting, the language is quite harsh. There were three other readers as well and one of them was a hip hop guy from Zimbabwe. He was white and he had dreadlocks all the way down to his waist. He was amazing, his work was really good and he was funny too. His name is Comrade Fatso and I want to get his album House of Hunger. The other poetry read was also beautiful. I'm really glad I went.
I bumped into a friend of Muhammed's after when everyone was mingling and eating food and we talked about the show a bit and he told me that his dad is going to Pune soon which was funny because I hadn't even told him that I stay there, so I was like 'wow that's my home in India' and I met his dad and told him to eat at Vaishali while he's there. That's where I eat basically all of my meals, my mom and I aren't really into cooking much...
I can't wait to go to India, sweet chai, sugar and ghee on chappatis, sambar fingers...it's definitely time.
I worry that I haven't changed much, that this trip won't have affected me "enough." I feel so alive and interested here and I'm afraid I will become jaded and apathetic again upon returning to the states.
Last night I went to a poetry reading by Antjie Krog who wrote one of the books we had to read Country of My Skull I really like her writing style. She's actually Afrikaans so most of her work is in Afrikaans, and apparently she can't write her poetry in English, it just doesn't come to her that way so she translates it after if she wants. She read some of her Afrikaans poetry, it was interesting, the language is quite harsh. There were three other readers as well and one of them was a hip hop guy from Zimbabwe. He was white and he had dreadlocks all the way down to his waist. He was amazing, his work was really good and he was funny too. His name is Comrade Fatso and I want to get his album House of Hunger. The other poetry read was also beautiful. I'm really glad I went.
I bumped into a friend of Muhammed's after when everyone was mingling and eating food and we talked about the show a bit and he told me that his dad is going to Pune soon which was funny because I hadn't even told him that I stay there, so I was like 'wow that's my home in India' and I met his dad and told him to eat at Vaishali while he's there. That's where I eat basically all of my meals, my mom and I aren't really into cooking much...
I can't wait to go to India, sweet chai, sugar and ghee on chappatis, sambar fingers...it's definitely time.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Durban Disaster
This past weekend I went with the spring break crew +Sam to Durban for a short vacation expecting fun in the sun and lots of sleep. We left on a night bus on Thursday and arrived early Friday morning where we went to our hostel, Smith's cottage, and slept for a few hours before heading to the beach. We spent 3-4 hours swimming and reading before catching a taxi to Florida st. where we had an amazing lunch. We then walked around a bit before going back to the hostel to order in Indian food and watch King Arthur.
Saturday we woke up late and headed to the Victory st. market where we got scarves to cover our heads before going to the biggest mosque in the southern hemisphere. Mike and Claire got into a huge fight at the market because mike wandered off and Claire called him and yelled at him. It was ridiculous and dramatic and it caused a huge embarrassing scene. After the mosque we ate lunch and then some people wanted to buy liquor so we went into a liquor store, yes I know what a terrible decision. So we wait around while people who want to buy alcohol and Mike is sort of flashing his wallet around unaware and a few guys stop and stare at him before leaving the store. A few blocks away after leaving the store a couple of guys walk around me cause I'm at the back of the group and grab onto Mike and then about 5 more swarm over us out of nowhere and in minutes have taken Claire's bag and a few wallets and cell phones. Luckily I was completely ignored but they had guns and it was still a nerve wracking experience. Kristen (whos stuff was in Claire's bag) and Claire begin to cry as we walk to McDonalds to call our hostel to come pick us up. When we get back to the hostel Claire and Mike end up yelling at each other all over again about what happened before but eventually things settle down and we settle in for the night with more Indian food and Good Will Hunting.
Sunday we go to the casino for sushi and the beach there because it's safer. I go watch Hellboy II while everyone else goes to the beach and then we go back to the hostel for, yep you guessed it, more Indian food and a movie:Kill Bill II. At 8:15 we pile into the van and go the bus station. The bus ride was fine, Harry Potter 7 on my iPod kept me sane. We arrived at the bus station around 5am and get taxis back to res. When we get there we end up getting a big fight over the money and the taxi driver gets pissed at Claire for telling him the situation is bullshit. He tells her she needs to have respect and that she can't come to South Africa with her white ways, she gets pissed and yells at him saying she isn't white and he's like whatever, Chinese. At on point he grabs onto her bag saying he wants his money but Mike pushes him back and yells at him more. Eventually I end up giving him the amount he wants, I apologize on behalf of my friend for swearing at him and we go to our rooms. The entire situation was ridiculous and in a way was an interesting experience. It just sucks because I don't think it's going to make my friends act any different. We are in a different country and it was horrible for the taxi drivers to be racist about the situation but at the same time, they are living in SA and they lived through apartheid. Of course when they look at us they are going to see spoiled, disrespectful, rich Americans.
Overall, an interesting trip. I'm definitely done with the drama for a while though.
Yesterday I went to Oriental Plaza which is in Fordsburg with Lydia and Khullet. I got new sunglasses and we walked around searching for backpacks for their trip to Botswana/Vic. Falls in a couple of weeks. It was fun.
One week of classes left. Then exams, ugh...
Saturday we woke up late and headed to the Victory st. market where we got scarves to cover our heads before going to the biggest mosque in the southern hemisphere. Mike and Claire got into a huge fight at the market because mike wandered off and Claire called him and yelled at him. It was ridiculous and dramatic and it caused a huge embarrassing scene. After the mosque we ate lunch and then some people wanted to buy liquor so we went into a liquor store, yes I know what a terrible decision. So we wait around while people who want to buy alcohol and Mike is sort of flashing his wallet around unaware and a few guys stop and stare at him before leaving the store. A few blocks away after leaving the store a couple of guys walk around me cause I'm at the back of the group and grab onto Mike and then about 5 more swarm over us out of nowhere and in minutes have taken Claire's bag and a few wallets and cell phones. Luckily I was completely ignored but they had guns and it was still a nerve wracking experience. Kristen (whos stuff was in Claire's bag) and Claire begin to cry as we walk to McDonalds to call our hostel to come pick us up. When we get back to the hostel Claire and Mike end up yelling at each other all over again about what happened before but eventually things settle down and we settle in for the night with more Indian food and Good Will Hunting.
Sunday we go to the casino for sushi and the beach there because it's safer. I go watch Hellboy II while everyone else goes to the beach and then we go back to the hostel for, yep you guessed it, more Indian food and a movie:Kill Bill II. At 8:15 we pile into the van and go the bus station. The bus ride was fine, Harry Potter 7 on my iPod kept me sane. We arrived at the bus station around 5am and get taxis back to res. When we get there we end up getting a big fight over the money and the taxi driver gets pissed at Claire for telling him the situation is bullshit. He tells her she needs to have respect and that she can't come to South Africa with her white ways, she gets pissed and yells at him saying she isn't white and he's like whatever, Chinese. At on point he grabs onto her bag saying he wants his money but Mike pushes him back and yells at him more. Eventually I end up giving him the amount he wants, I apologize on behalf of my friend for swearing at him and we go to our rooms. The entire situation was ridiculous and in a way was an interesting experience. It just sucks because I don't think it's going to make my friends act any different. We are in a different country and it was horrible for the taxi drivers to be racist about the situation but at the same time, they are living in SA and they lived through apartheid. Of course when they look at us they are going to see spoiled, disrespectful, rich Americans.
Overall, an interesting trip. I'm definitely done with the drama for a while though.
Yesterday I went to Oriental Plaza which is in Fordsburg with Lydia and Khullet. I got new sunglasses and we walked around searching for backpacks for their trip to Botswana/Vic. Falls in a couple of weeks. It was fun.
One week of classes left. Then exams, ugh...
Thursday, September 25, 2008
The Fishies
Sorry it's been a while. I've been pretty busy so that's been good.
Last Wednesday after core course I went to Jolly's for pizza and then we went to this bar called Gin and hung out there for a while. It was really fun, the music was good and we just sat around and had drinks.
Friday was my LHR training. Caroline, my co-intern, picked me up at 7:30am and we went to this place called the Cottage's for the day. There were people from both the Pretoria and Durban branch of LHR. We went over the basics of LHR and the process of asylum seekers coming to SA and what our role is. It was good to learn this information after having been at LHR for a while because I could relate it to my work. We had a really good lunch and short snack breaks and then we finally ended at 5pm. Tarek, his friend Anais who is at the Pretoria branch, Lewis, and I waited at the Cottage's for Tarek's friend and Anais' boyfriend Chris who then drove us to Jacob's for dinner. Jacob is the director of LHR, his house is really nice. There were a lot of people there, including Kaajal and her husband, it was nice to see them again. We ate Thai food and cous cous and spent a few hours there before going to Melville. Melville was good, I hadn't been there in a while and we just went to some bar and chilled before Chris gave me a ride home.
The weekend was pretty slow, Sunday I spent the day writing my Culture essay.
Tuesday I had a test in Philosophy, ick, but I think it went ok. Then that night we went to a club called Carfax for a concert with KCM. Jaya works there so she got us VIP tickets. Goldfish, a SA band was playing. We got there at 10pm, hung out for a while, I met up with Lewis and his friends, and then Goldfish went on at midnight. They were AMAZING! One of the guys played sax and flute and he was sooo good. One of the singers hung out by the stage when he wasn't performing and I ended up standing by him for most of the concert. I told him his band was amazing and he thanked me. It was funny because girls kept coming up asking to take pictures with him and one girl even had him sign her stomach.
We got home around 3am.
Wednesday was Heritage day which is a national holiday. So we didn't have any class, I spent it being very lazy but it was nice to relax for a bit.
Tonight we are taking the bus to Durban for the weekend. I hope it's fun!
Last Wednesday after core course I went to Jolly's for pizza and then we went to this bar called Gin and hung out there for a while. It was really fun, the music was good and we just sat around and had drinks.
Friday was my LHR training. Caroline, my co-intern, picked me up at 7:30am and we went to this place called the Cottage's for the day. There were people from both the Pretoria and Durban branch of LHR. We went over the basics of LHR and the process of asylum seekers coming to SA and what our role is. It was good to learn this information after having been at LHR for a while because I could relate it to my work. We had a really good lunch and short snack breaks and then we finally ended at 5pm. Tarek, his friend Anais who is at the Pretoria branch, Lewis, and I waited at the Cottage's for Tarek's friend and Anais' boyfriend Chris who then drove us to Jacob's for dinner. Jacob is the director of LHR, his house is really nice. There were a lot of people there, including Kaajal and her husband, it was nice to see them again. We ate Thai food and cous cous and spent a few hours there before going to Melville. Melville was good, I hadn't been there in a while and we just went to some bar and chilled before Chris gave me a ride home.
The weekend was pretty slow, Sunday I spent the day writing my Culture essay.
Tuesday I had a test in Philosophy, ick, but I think it went ok. Then that night we went to a club called Carfax for a concert with KCM. Jaya works there so she got us VIP tickets. Goldfish, a SA band was playing. We got there at 10pm, hung out for a while, I met up with Lewis and his friends, and then Goldfish went on at midnight. They were AMAZING! One of the guys played sax and flute and he was sooo good. One of the singers hung out by the stage when he wasn't performing and I ended up standing by him for most of the concert. I told him his band was amazing and he thanked me. It was funny because girls kept coming up asking to take pictures with him and one girl even had him sign her stomach.
We got home around 3am.
Wednesday was Heritage day which is a national holiday. So we didn't have any class, I spent it being very lazy but it was nice to relax for a bit.
Tonight we are taking the bus to Durban for the weekend. I hope it's fun!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Addicted to Apples
Sarah's party was a lot of fun. She rented out a club called Sudada in Sandton and there was an open bar for a bit and so many cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries. I ate way too many. Everyone looked great in their white outfits, Sarah's dress was white and silver, she looked beautiful. Her friends gave a speech with a picture slideshow which was really cute.
Tonight it looks like I'm going to some reggae place to eat and see a band playing a tribute to Steve Biko.
I came in to work today thinking my coworkers were going to Lindela but turns out they aren't and it's really slow, I'm so smart...
I want an apple but the thought of food makes me feel a little sick...ugh.
Tonight it looks like I'm going to some reggae place to eat and see a band playing a tribute to Steve Biko.
I came in to work today thinking my coworkers were going to Lindela but turns out they aren't and it's really slow, I'm so smart...
I want an apple but the thought of food makes me feel a little sick...ugh.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wishful Thinking
Well the writing of my Core Course essay went pretty smoothly. I enjoyed doing research for it because the readings were really interesting. One of my sources was the book Machete Season which is a report on the genocide from some of the killers view points, it was fascinating.
Tonight is Sarah's 21st, it's going to be pretty crazy, I'm looking forward to the chocolate covered strawberries, yummm.
No real plans for the weekend. Might do something fun tomorrow night, probably shopping on Saturday, homework on Sunday, I know I'm so exciting. Maybe Breaking Dawn will finally be in the bookstore! Here's to wishful thinking...
Tonight is Sarah's 21st, it's going to be pretty crazy, I'm looking forward to the chocolate covered strawberries, yummm.
No real plans for the weekend. Might do something fun tomorrow night, probably shopping on Saturday, homework on Sunday, I know I'm so exciting. Maybe Breaking Dawn will finally be in the bookstore! Here's to wishful thinking...
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Weekend Shinanigans
The Israel/Palestine discussion was really interesting to listen to. They didn't end up debating but it was still fun. Afterwards we went to the fencing club's pub for a drink and hung out there for a while. We met some pretty interesting/odd people :P
When we got tired of that we decided to go swimming at the pool so we climbed over the fence and went in our underwear, it was fun.
Friday after spending the day running errands with Muhammed and Fatima, I went to the ballet, La Traviata. It was really beautiful, I loved it, it's been a while and it reminded me how much fun it is to go.
Saturday I went shopping at Rosebank for Sarah's 21st, I needed white so I bought a really pretty white top. I don't think I'm going to be able to pull off a full white outfit but it'll work out.
Today was really fun. Me and CKM went to Jazz at the Lake by Bowls club. The music was really good and we just spent the day hanging out and listening. I met my culture teacher's girlfriend and we talked for a while. She did a semester at sea and took classes on a boat/cruise and visited 10 different countries. That sounds amazing! She also told me she has a friend who has done some work with torture victims and that she would give me her email so I could ask questions and stuff. I'm really excited!
When we got tired of that we decided to go swimming at the pool so we climbed over the fence and went in our underwear, it was fun.
Friday after spending the day running errands with Muhammed and Fatima, I went to the ballet, La Traviata. It was really beautiful, I loved it, it's been a while and it reminded me how much fun it is to go.
Saturday I went shopping at Rosebank for Sarah's 21st, I needed white so I bought a really pretty white top. I don't think I'm going to be able to pull off a full white outfit but it'll work out.
Today was really fun. Me and CKM went to Jazz at the Lake by Bowls club. The music was really good and we just spent the day hanging out and listening. I met my culture teacher's girlfriend and we talked for a while. She did a semester at sea and took classes on a boat/cruise and visited 10 different countries. That sounds amazing! She also told me she has a friend who has done some work with torture victims and that she would give me her email so I could ask questions and stuff. I'm really excited!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Kantian Overdose
Another week is almost over, I feel like time is just flying by and before I know it, my time here will be gone.
Last night I went to my Philosophy professor's house for dinner with my class (there's only 7 of us) and it was really fun. We talked about philosophy and school life and the differences between education systems. Olivia asked the question "Is there a moral argument that will always work against torture?" Which I thought was pretty genius. Then when torture didn't seem to have high enough stakes we talked about genocide. I think that if there's a benefit for someone then they will always go through with something no matter how horrible. But in terms of being against torture totally no matter what then we discussed the argument that it will harm the community and that it violates the human being (Kant) but then we have to decide what the definition of a human being is. It was pretty complex. I was kind of brain dead after it all.
Another day at work, it's quite slow. I met with a couple of clients, wrote a letter, sent a fax. I'm going to observe a debate on the Israel/Palestine issue tonight, should be interesting.
Last night I went to my Philosophy professor's house for dinner with my class (there's only 7 of us) and it was really fun. We talked about philosophy and school life and the differences between education systems. Olivia asked the question "Is there a moral argument that will always work against torture?" Which I thought was pretty genius. Then when torture didn't seem to have high enough stakes we talked about genocide. I think that if there's a benefit for someone then they will always go through with something no matter how horrible. But in terms of being against torture totally no matter what then we discussed the argument that it will harm the community and that it violates the human being (Kant) but then we have to decide what the definition of a human being is. It was pretty complex. I was kind of brain dead after it all.
Another day at work, it's quite slow. I met with a couple of clients, wrote a letter, sent a fax. I'm going to observe a debate on the Israel/Palestine issue tonight, should be interesting.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
African Time
I can't believe it's already September! August really flew by. I had my second Culture class yesterday, it was pretty interesting, more discussion about what culture is and what influences the way it changes over time. There was a really sketchy guy standing outside our classroom for half the class listening in, he kept staring at Kristen though so we kept laughing a bit uncontrollably. My friends and I are going to the ballet on Friday to see La Traviata which is originally an opera. I'm excited, I haven't been to the ballet in a while. The last time I went was when I was in Russia at the Bolshoi in Moscow, it was amazing.
I'm at work right now, waiting for my 9am appointment, he's 25 minutes late: African time haha.
I'm at work right now, waiting for my 9am appointment, he's 25 minutes late: African time haha.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Lentil Burgers and Conflict
Wednesday night after Core course I went to a lecture by Arjun Appadurai about Housing and Hope, it was pretty interesting. He wasn't really what I expected but I'm glad I went. Thursday I saw a film at Constitutional Hill called "Encounter Point" about the Israeli/Palestine conflict, it was sooo good. Two of the people from the documentary were there and we got to ask questions, they were both amazing speakers so the whole event was really enlightening. On our way out we saw a guy wearing an Obama shirt, he just got back from California. It's fun to see how interested people are in the election. Friday I went back to Moyos cause Claire's friend was visiting from Cape Town on her way to Mozambique for her break. Then we had a mustache party as leftover celebration for Lauren's birthday. It was a lot of fun. Abby made these amazing lentil burgers with avocado, I want to learn how to make them too, they were delicious. Yesterday I went to Rosebank, got my haircut, bought a shirt, got much needed groceries. Breaking Dawn still isn't at the bookstore, I want it so bad! It was nice to be back at Rosebank, back to our normal life. I watched Donnie Darko last night, I hadn't seen it in so long and it was interesting to see things that I hadn't noticed before. Like I didn't realize Maggie Gyllenhall was Jake's sister in the movie as well, and that the book they were reading in english was by Graham Greene. Just small things. Guess that's it for now.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Moya (air) head
Moyo's was a lot of fun last night. We all dressed up and ate tons of delicious food. I had a Seven Vegetable Tagine with rice. Mike got this crazy lamb thing with mashed potatoes that he kept praising, the mashed potatoes were amazing though. Kristen and Claire shared a chicken Tagine. We all had a few bites of Lauren's birthday cake which was like malva pudding but I think it was apricot. There were so many people there because it was Kayla's birthday too (she's another girl in IHRE.) We took up two huge tables and we were there for three hours! When we got back to dorm we watched Mulan for a while but then I was so tired I went to bed before it ended. I'm such an old person nowadays. I go to sleep at 10 and wake up at 7. First day back at work. I met with a guy for an hour because he was kind of hard to understand but basically he's just trying to get asylum for a few years instead of having to renew his temporary permit all the time. I also had to call and inform a woman she wouldn't be receiving a disability grant from the government because the bill hasn't passed yet. She has cancer and can't afford to support herself or buy her medicines or anything. Life seems so hard sometimes, it must be really disheartening to hear bad news over and over again.
Philosophy was interesting yesterday but the teachers are a bit crazy. One of them, who I like more, is Oliva Custer, she taught at Bard last year. The wits professor is kind of like a nervous animal who goes off on tangents. They kept interrupting each other because I don't think they have really prepared. First week back is almost over though. No internship class tomorrow because Ayesha is having eye surgery. This weekend in the Joy of Jazz festival but I'm not sure if we can still get tickets. Hope it's a good one though.
Philosophy was interesting yesterday but the teachers are a bit crazy. One of them, who I like more, is Oliva Custer, she taught at Bard last year. The wits professor is kind of like a nervous animal who goes off on tangents. They kept interrupting each other because I don't think they have really prepared. First week back is almost over though. No internship class tomorrow because Ayesha is having eye surgery. This weekend in the Joy of Jazz festival but I'm not sure if we can still get tickets. Hope it's a good one though.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Spring Break '08 Two
Well break is over, I've already been back a couple of days and I had to write an essay and an exam, ugh. But anyway, break was amaaaaaaaazing!
Friday after work we went to Shabbat at Jaya's house which was really delicious and fun.
Saturday: We drove to the airport and all bought books at Exclusive before getting on our 2hr flight to Zambia. I fell asleep because we didn't get much sleep the night before. When we got to Livingstone we took a taxi to the border and got on a ferry that took us across to Botswana. We got a ride from two SA guys to lodging but it was full so we finally got a family room at the Bonezazi Lodge. We hitchhiked and a truck picked us up, it was safe and fine so that was cool, saved some money on transport. We had Pap and beans for dinner, yum.
Sunday: At 5am we took a cab to the Chobe Safari Lodge and on the way saw a Hyena eating an antelope by the side of the road. Our driver, George, told us he saw two lions crossing the road on the way to pick us up. We went on a morning game drive from the lodge and saw Wild Dogs, which are amazing, elephants across the river in Namibia. In the afternoon after eating at the buffet and grabbing tons of extra bread rolls and apples, we hung around the pool. My friends went swimming while I read. Then at 3pm we got on a sunset boatride which was kind of like a water safari. We saw elephants, giraffes, and tons of hippos (a group of hippos is called a Sedudu). We also saw an African Fishing Eagle, they mate for life and if one dies the other will too. The sunset was beautiful. We got to watch a group of bachelor elephants cross the river in a line as the sun was setting, got some really good pictures. More pap and beans for dinner.
Monday: We took a taxi back to the border and ferried across to Zambia. We went to our hostel, Fawlty Towers in Livingstone and explored the area a bit. Then we rested until evening when Lauren and Abby arrived early. We stayed in our own room with bunk beds, it was a bit cramped but lots of fun.
Tuesday: We took a shuttle to Victoria Falls and then crossed the border into Zimbabwe. We spent the day walking around the trails through the Zim side of the falls, it was beautiful. When we got back we ate at this delicious vegetarian place called African Visions. They had really good lentil rolls and apple and carrot cake.
Wednesday: White Water Rafting! The hike down to the water was intense and then we had to jump off a rock into the water and swim to the raft. I realize I kind of suck at swimming these days. We went over 9 rapids, most of them were level 5. Lauren and Claire fell off at the beginning but they were ok. Then on rapid 8 we flipped over and it felt like I swallowed half the river because I couldn't figure out which way to face and float so waves kept hitting me. Luckily a kayak came and picked me up. Somehow I got wacked in the face when we flipped though so I'm a bit bruised between the eyes haha.
After the rafting we went back to Safari Par Excellence base and ate lunch before leaving on a "booze cruise." Some angry old Italian woman swore at us as we got on the boat but besides that we had a pretty good time. Another beautiful African sunset.
Thursday: My friends went to go hiking so I stayed at FT and read all day, it was good to have some down time to myself and such. When they came back we ate pizza from a place called Funky Munky down the road and watched the olympics. We did a lot of that during out trip. I can't believe they are already over and Phelps won all 8 gold!
Friday: Mike and I went bunjee jumping!!! It was awesome and really scary. They just count down from 5 and you can't think, just go. We went tandem and yelled "noodles" as we fell haha (Kung Fu Panda reference anyone? "Noodles, not noodles") After jumping we went back to FT and chilled for the rest of the evening. Some of the girls got mani-pedi and massages.
Saturday: We went back to the place my friends went on Thursday, Angel's Swimming Pool. We crossed the top of the falls upstream and then came to a natural pool in the rocks where we spent the day swimming and eating lunch. There was a tall rock that we jumped off but I didn't jump out far enough so I hit a rock, got a bruised knee but it was fun :)
After we left the pool we saw an amazing view of the falls and took pictures, big rainbow spot. Then we went to the crafts market and I bought people presents. More pizza for dinner and then cake at African Visions after. We stayed at Rite Inn our last night and stayed up late watching TV. We watched Obama/Biden speeches as they declared their partnership. Should be interesting...
Sunday: We drove to the airport and hung out in the airport for a couple of hours, we were early. Had some trouble getting everyone's e-tickets approved but we made it. I slept a bit and read "When a Crocodile Eats the Sun" it's really good. Got back to Joburg, yay homebase! It felt good to be back in my room.
Today is Lauren's birthday so we are all going to dinner at Moyo's tonight. I have Philosophy and HR for the first time today, I hope it's good.
Friday after work we went to Shabbat at Jaya's house which was really delicious and fun.
Saturday: We drove to the airport and all bought books at Exclusive before getting on our 2hr flight to Zambia. I fell asleep because we didn't get much sleep the night before. When we got to Livingstone we took a taxi to the border and got on a ferry that took us across to Botswana. We got a ride from two SA guys to lodging but it was full so we finally got a family room at the Bonezazi Lodge. We hitchhiked and a truck picked us up, it was safe and fine so that was cool, saved some money on transport. We had Pap and beans for dinner, yum.
Sunday: At 5am we took a cab to the Chobe Safari Lodge and on the way saw a Hyena eating an antelope by the side of the road. Our driver, George, told us he saw two lions crossing the road on the way to pick us up. We went on a morning game drive from the lodge and saw Wild Dogs, which are amazing, elephants across the river in Namibia. In the afternoon after eating at the buffet and grabbing tons of extra bread rolls and apples, we hung around the pool. My friends went swimming while I read. Then at 3pm we got on a sunset boatride which was kind of like a water safari. We saw elephants, giraffes, and tons of hippos (a group of hippos is called a Sedudu). We also saw an African Fishing Eagle, they mate for life and if one dies the other will too. The sunset was beautiful. We got to watch a group of bachelor elephants cross the river in a line as the sun was setting, got some really good pictures. More pap and beans for dinner.
Monday: We took a taxi back to the border and ferried across to Zambia. We went to our hostel, Fawlty Towers in Livingstone and explored the area a bit. Then we rested until evening when Lauren and Abby arrived early. We stayed in our own room with bunk beds, it was a bit cramped but lots of fun.
Tuesday: We took a shuttle to Victoria Falls and then crossed the border into Zimbabwe. We spent the day walking around the trails through the Zim side of the falls, it was beautiful. When we got back we ate at this delicious vegetarian place called African Visions. They had really good lentil rolls and apple and carrot cake.
Wednesday: White Water Rafting! The hike down to the water was intense and then we had to jump off a rock into the water and swim to the raft. I realize I kind of suck at swimming these days. We went over 9 rapids, most of them were level 5. Lauren and Claire fell off at the beginning but they were ok. Then on rapid 8 we flipped over and it felt like I swallowed half the river because I couldn't figure out which way to face and float so waves kept hitting me. Luckily a kayak came and picked me up. Somehow I got wacked in the face when we flipped though so I'm a bit bruised between the eyes haha.
After the rafting we went back to Safari Par Excellence base and ate lunch before leaving on a "booze cruise." Some angry old Italian woman swore at us as we got on the boat but besides that we had a pretty good time. Another beautiful African sunset.
Thursday: My friends went to go hiking so I stayed at FT and read all day, it was good to have some down time to myself and such. When they came back we ate pizza from a place called Funky Munky down the road and watched the olympics. We did a lot of that during out trip. I can't believe they are already over and Phelps won all 8 gold!
Friday: Mike and I went bunjee jumping!!! It was awesome and really scary. They just count down from 5 and you can't think, just go. We went tandem and yelled "noodles" as we fell haha (Kung Fu Panda reference anyone? "Noodles, not noodles") After jumping we went back to FT and chilled for the rest of the evening. Some of the girls got mani-pedi and massages.
Saturday: We went back to the place my friends went on Thursday, Angel's Swimming Pool. We crossed the top of the falls upstream and then came to a natural pool in the rocks where we spent the day swimming and eating lunch. There was a tall rock that we jumped off but I didn't jump out far enough so I hit a rock, got a bruised knee but it was fun :)
After we left the pool we saw an amazing view of the falls and took pictures, big rainbow spot. Then we went to the crafts market and I bought people presents. More pizza for dinner and then cake at African Visions after. We stayed at Rite Inn our last night and stayed up late watching TV. We watched Obama/Biden speeches as they declared their partnership. Should be interesting...
Sunday: We drove to the airport and hung out in the airport for a couple of hours, we were early. Had some trouble getting everyone's e-tickets approved but we made it. I slept a bit and read "When a Crocodile Eats the Sun" it's really good. Got back to Joburg, yay homebase! It felt good to be back in my room.
Today is Lauren's birthday so we are all going to dinner at Moyo's tonight. I have Philosophy and HR for the first time today, I hope it's good.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Lemon Poppyseed
Thursday afternoon and I'm the only one in the office. Not even Maggie is here, fun stuff. Luckily it's pretty slow otherwise I would probably be going crazy. Talked to Dan last night, he's back from Canada yay! Tonight I have to write my African Literature essay and tomorrow I have work and then Shabbat. Saturday morning we leave for Zambia, I can't believe Spring Break is basically here! It hasn't hit me yet. When I get back life is going to be pretty hectic though because I have an essay due Monday and my Islamic Law exam to write in 24hrs. I'm going to switch my days at LHR though and Kristen might come work on the days I don't because she's unhappy with JET. I want a muffin...
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Frank McCourt
Oh yeah! I bought Angela's Ashes yesterday at the used bookstore in Braamfontein center. It's interesting so far, sad, good, I like the way it's written.
Block 3 Ending
People suck so much sometimes. It's ridiculous how they can make terrible decisions and then you get stuck with a lot of the backlash when you haven't even done anything!!!
Today was my last Islamic Law class, it went well. Tomorrow is my African Literature exam, I have the questions so I will prepare for what I want to write tonight. I have no idea how I'm going to get everything done but I know it will happen. It sucks that I have my Islam exam the first day back but oh well, can't do anything about it now.
I need sleep, badly. And I need to not be confused. I'm going to go eat soup.
Today was my last Islamic Law class, it went well. Tomorrow is my African Literature exam, I have the questions so I will prepare for what I want to write tonight. I have no idea how I'm going to get everything done but I know it will happen. It sucks that I have my Islam exam the first day back but oh well, can't do anything about it now.
I need sleep, badly. And I need to not be confused. I'm going to go eat soup.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Crunch Time
The Indian party was a lot of fun on Saturday. We came back to res and ate cake and lay in a big puppy pile :P My Islam essay deadline was extended so I am quite relieved, gives me a bit more time to think it all out. I can't believe this is the last week of Block 3. And this coming Saturday I am going to be on a plane to Zambia! I got my Yellow Fever and Typhoid shots this weekend too. Muhammed took us to a travel clinic in Rosebank. The place was really nice and the Dr. was likable (is that a word?) So I just gotta get through this week and then things will go a bit more smoothly, hopefully...
Friday, August 8, 2008
I'm starting to think I've used up a lot of my love...can you run out?
Wanted was really good, again :P
Sara is an awesome dancer, it was really fun going to see her show.
I'm slowly getting tired but I wish I had a good book to read.
I want to read Notes from a Fractured Country by Jonny Steinburg.
I wish I could write like Jodi Picoult <3
Sara is an awesome dancer, it was really fun going to see her show.
I'm slowly getting tired but I wish I had a good book to read.
I want to read Notes from a Fractured Country by Jonny Steinburg.
I wish I could write like Jodi Picoult <3
8-8-08
Today is Jo's last day at work, and her birthday. I gave her a chocolate bar. I came in at 11 and she had already had like 40 clients all asking for JRS letters. More came in during the afternoon. I also had to tell a woman her application for family reunification got rejected :( She seemed to take it in stride though. I'm going to see "Wanted" again tonight before Sara's dance show. I have to get my yellow fever vaccination tomorrow. Fun stuff. Dan Dan is in Canada with no internet, I guess I'll survive :P
Thursday, August 7, 2008
"Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good"
OH yeah! I forgot to mention that Justice Richard Goldstone gave a lecture at Wits last night. It was AWESOME and really interesting. Annnnd I shook his hand after and thanked him. It was so cool.
LHR
I'm at work. It's pretty cool but I feel really inadequate...oh well. Lots of asylum seekers are coming in seeking assistance because they are no longer in the refugee camps. Crazy stuff. We are going to Sara's dance recital tomorrow and I'm excited for the Indian Dance party I'm going to on Saturday. Should be fun. Well back to facebook stalking ;)
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
"the lives of small men are like spiders' webs; they are studded with minute skeletons of greatness."
Sadly I did not get to see WALL-E last night but oh well, I think I will on saturday. We are also not going to Shabbat this week cause Sara has a dance recital she forgot about. We made dinner in my room last night and luckily no one made a mess so I didn't have to kill anyone. Literature was pretty good today. I really like Dambudzo Marechera's writing style. House of Hunger was interesting/confusing but good. I'm off to tea in Claire's room before Internship class. Fun stuff.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Sticky Pixar Ache
Went to Bowls Club last night with mck and Jonty. We ate pizza and malva pudding and then watched Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. Diego Luna is sooo cute ;)
This morning I was really tired and didn't feel like facing the world so I skipped Lit. whoops. But I went to Islamic Law and we had a discussion about homosexuality in Islam. It was really interesting.
Tonight I'm going to finally go see WALL-E, I'm excited. I can't believe I only have one week left of Block 3 and then Spring break. This weekend I'm going to an Indian party which should be fun. I'm looking forward to it. We are also going to Sara's grandmas house on Friday for Shabbat.
I'm going running when Mike gets back from internship at 4pm, I'm dreading it but also glad that I'm making myself go.
This morning I was really tired and didn't feel like facing the world so I skipped Lit. whoops. But I went to Islamic Law and we had a discussion about homosexuality in Islam. It was really interesting.
Tonight I'm going to finally go see WALL-E, I'm excited. I can't believe I only have one week left of Block 3 and then Spring break. This weekend I'm going to an Indian party which should be fun. I'm looking forward to it. We are also going to Sara's grandmas house on Friday for Shabbat.
I'm going running when Mike gets back from internship at 4pm, I'm dreading it but also glad that I'm making myself go.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Dissatisfaction
Ugh I felt like crap last night. I suddenly am not as satisfied with life here. Part of it is probably just stress and whatnot but a part of me really wishes IHRE was over so I could go to India and feel at home again. Classes are ok, not as amazing as I had hoped. I do like Lit a lot though. And I hope my electives next block are better. Spring break: I am excited, but...well it's just one of those things. I really hope I don't kill my friends while on that trip, they may get on my nerves during a week of nonstop mikeclairekristen. Started doing more reading for my Islam paper. I really need to get it out of the way.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Researching for Islamic Law
South Africa:
I am making my way through an exchange, of ideas and culture and education. I am well adjusted but I feel like it wasn't difficult to do. I want this place and the people I meet to change me. I want to be better, I want to know more and I want this experience to help me. Everyone says that you can't help but change when you go abroad but where is that feeling of difference that I should see in myself? I'm afraid it won't be enough. I'm afraid I won't take advantage of it all. I'm just afraid...
People here are nice. I enjoy their company. I am grateful to have friends. But I miss the true connection that I feel with people at home. It isn't homesickness per say, it is almost a longing. Not painful, just there. I'm enjoying my time here but I was still happy when a month had passed, lessening the time I have left. I feel connected to Joburg in some way and I like it, a lot.
It is strange to see Indians here though. Those of my generation have been here for decades and they have no connection to India. It's an odd concept for me. But I suppose the older generations may not want to connect to their motherland anymore. Maybe they fled, maybe they were taken, but either way I guess they don't want to look back at what they left behind.
It is strange to see Indians here though. Those of my generation have been here for decades and they have no connection to India. It's an odd concept for me. But I suppose the older generations may not want to connect to their motherland anymore. Maybe they fled, maybe they were taken, but either way I guess they don't want to look back at what they left behind.
I'm going to India after IHRE ends and I can't wait. I have never been there during november/december and I'm looking forward to sweet chai and warm Utappas with sambar. This is the first year that I will be in India for my birthday. I'm going to be in Delhi.
I have to admit though, I'm pretty happy here. I'm busy and the time is flying by. I'm going to Zambia for Spring Break and I'm excited to see more of the continent. But first I have to write essays...
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