Week 9: Little of home and Life in SA

Since I blogged so late in the week last week, I'll make this a short one. You've gotten most of what's going on here, but things at home are still happening!

I found out a couple weeks ago that I've been hired once again by Residence Life at school. Next year, I get to be a Resident Advisor in the freshmen dorm that I lived in a couple years ago! I guess I'm still an Adams girl at heart. One of the best parts about this appointment is that Katie Hahn is going to be on my staff--she's here in SA with me and was even my Joburg roommate!

So my time at home this summer is short for the 3rd time in a row. I'm home from mid-May until early August. I'm looking forward to spending a lot of time with Hope, Hannah, Carson and Lisa. I'll be doing a lot of babysitting, so if you're in Humboldt, you know who to call! Hopefully I'll get together a job outside of that, even though it's only for 2 1/2 months.

I got a package yesterday, which made my day! It was full of Easter chocolate from Mom, and best of all, drawings from Hope. What a little artist! AND she wrote one of the full sentences that she's mastered for me, all by herself. I'm such a proud sister.

I'll just leave you with this blog from Hilary Green, who's studying here with me. I thought it was too funny (and true!) not to share.


"These are some of our new South African norms. We find humor in all the discomfort. Enjoy!

-If you love surprises, you love South Africa. There's mystery meat Monday...mystery meat Tuesday...mystery meat Wednesday...mystery meat Thursday...mystery meat Friday...mystery meat Saturday...and the occasional pizza and fry Sunday.

-Peanut butter can be eaten with every meal. If one gets tired of peanut butter, having butter and jam sandwiches seems perfectly normal.

-The South African's stereotype of hungry Americans is affirmed twice a day as we crowd/swarm/fight over the plates of warm cookies and muffins at tea time.

-Drinking pina colada mix as juice becomes something that...well, you just never get used to.

-We are the traveling circus as 22 people unload out of each van. If we are pulled over, at least 15 people will get out of the bus, only to have to reload the bus less than 2 minutes later.

-It's not dinner until Ryno rings the bell.

-Getting a package is like winning the lotto. Also, the package becomes everyone's as the crowd watching it get opened expects to reap some of the benefits of the American goods.

-Eating chocolate everyday seems normal.

-Carrying pepper spray is a necessity to fight off the monkeys. Having a monkey steal chocolate out of your room is somewhat expected. Putting pepper spray on hot cheetos and watching the monkeys burn their hands, mouths, and vomit is considered a very entertaining and productive afternoon.

-Hanging out at the mall is no longer a Junior High activity.

-Running with a family of zebras is no big deal.

-"Jillian" is a household name. Our worst nightmare and best friend. Everybody does her.

-Temperatures lower than 85 degrees deserve pants, slippers, and possibly sweatshirts.

-African thunder and lightening storms can make a 21-year-old male scream like a baby during class.

-Coffee shop runs are sacred. Hot chocolate and instacoffee from campus are consumed on a 3-4 cup basis. It is not uncommon to find chunks in your cream. Don't worry, the milk's only been sitting out for 7 hours in the 90 degree heat.