If you want to sing out, Sing out: February 2008

Cheers!

- Semester break one week away! Mozambique here I come! I will be fulfilling a goal and dream by going to Mozambique. I did a semester long project on it Soph. year second semester, so I became quite attached and interested in the people and demographics there. Also I will be able to swim in the Indian Ocean! How cool is that. A new countries, Continent, and Ocean all with in a few months!

- Having an outstanding weekend in South Africa with my uncle and his dear friend, who was turning 50. It was so great to see him and get to go to a different part of South Africa, talking and socializing with people who were either from South Africa or had lived there for a long time. Hearing their views on their president, culture, racism, and even Botswana. Not all of the answers were always easy for me (and the two friends of mine that came along); but I think it is one of the reasons why we had such an amazing time. The fact that the Cultural Village we were at and the surroundings at the party we amazingly beautiful didn’t really hurt either.

- My apartment being sprayed for roaches. Mine wasn’t as bad as other peoples but it was starting to get there, and now I don’t have to worry about roaches for at least a few weeks depending on how good my roommates are at throwing out their trash. Keep your fingers crossed.

- Nate. Oh, Nate. The one boy in our group. He puts up with 9 girls, loud, sassy, feisty, and at times moody girls. He is a superhero, although his lanky body by no means resembles a body guard, when ever he is out with any or all of us, no matter what time it is, he tries his hardest to be protective. How cute. Nice, smart, and positive; we al love Nate, and let him know, which only embarrasses him . . . causing us to go to far sometimes, but he always takes it like a champ. He is going to be such a ladies man when he gets out of here, because he will know the ins and outs of “the female”. Bless his soul.

- Getting my Frisbee! I am so excited to play, I feel like another part of my soul has met up with me here in Botswana. Now, once I find swings my life will be complete. Really, it doesn’t take too much to keep me happy.

- Kay and BobFather will be here in a month! How much fun the 3 of us shall have, I think that it is time to start briefing Kay on heat, dessert/sand, BUGS! (so far this week I have only gotten 2 misquote bites. This is huge news, I was having an average of 10 bites a day for a while), Africa Time (an hour to two hours later then expected), and lastly and most importantly the male attention! Anyone who knows Kay knows that the woman doesn’t need the confidence boost, but no person can really help it when you are being told that you are pretty or someone wants to be your friend, or marry you.

Jeers.

- Trees that look like they have toothpicks growing on them, that if you et to close get stuck in your hair, causing you to get caught in a tree while walking down the street. These are tricky little devils too because the person that is stuck in them cannot get themselves out without making it worse and/or pricking themselves over and over. Causing the person stuck to be laughed at, as well as danger of slipping and falling when backing up on the sandy sidewalk. Kind of like me today, so not only are you left with messy hair but you are also a little scrapped from the fall, not to mention quite humbled. People don’t really hold their laughter until they are out of ear shot here. But I don’t mind I am sure it looks pretty comedic and I would laugh if I saw it too, but maybe I wouldn’t stair as long . . .

- Going to the biggest diamond mine in Botswana (when thinking of this mine, don’t think of glittering rocks popping out everywhere, think of what a quarry and you will have a better idea in your head of what this looked like). I am sure that on the right day and right time this could be a wonderful trip. Yet whenever someone has to get woken up at 5AM to get in a mini-van and drive two hours to see a diamond mine in 100 degree weather does have its down sides. Also being surrounded by rocks as they hold and reflect the sun light at you from all different angles, while in long pants, a hard hat, reflective vest, and heavy work boots for two hours can be a little dehydrating. It also kind of stinks when the key/password holder to be able to get into the museum to see the diamonds and how they are step by step mind in on holiday doesn’t help a ton. This field trip also caused me to really complicate my South African weekend plans which were then not fully figured out until the night before, causing a bit of stress. However they up side was that my friends and I were able to go to a super fun pool party Friday night, which in the end made everything nearly even out.

- My hair not getting as blond as I was hoping it to get by this time. I know petty and vain to things I said that there were no room for in Africa, but I donno, I guess I was just expecting to become an instant toe head again . . .

Cheers!

- My monthly allowence of T.P. complements of UB has arrived! They give us four rolls a month. It really is cut throat in my Apt. when it comes to T.P. some people are greedy and just plain sneeky, which can at times cause middle of the night bathroom break issues.
- No Starbucks or McD's in Botswana. At times when you really really need an iced coffee, this can be a little trouble some. Yet, at the same time I find it so cool that the two places in the states that you can always find to refresh you, and at this point in time all over the world, are not here. I mean what other time in my life will i be able to meet other college kids that have never had a Big Mac or a tripple grande Vanilla Non Fat extra foam latte
- Getting the chance to camp and get away from Gabs every now and then. Don't under est. the wonderfulness of it.
- Obama! this past weekend. Way to go dude!
- Having a cell phone that has snake on it! You have no idea how fun this can be when waiting in lines or waiting for your professor in class. What a wonderful game.
- Going on field trips in college (although in this one case if causes a few problems, its still fun). On friday i get to go to a diamond mine and to a pottery place . . . cool, eh?
- Getting mail! Thanks kiki and MEL they were awesome!
- My semester break being one week away! Hellllllo Mozambique!
- Students protesting in class by shouting, clapping, and yelling how they do not agree with an asignment, point, or test. Its really quite fun to watch.

Jeers.
- Egypt winning the African Cup. I really would have loved if a country from Southern Africa could have won.
- Having to leave a day later then expected for joburg. Boo.
- Not seeing Bucky again . . . Knock on wood (no pun intended).
- Time in Botswana movie too fast! If it keeps up at this rate i wont have enough time to do everything that i have been planning on!
- 6 hours of Setswana class a week. It stinks. Our teacher hates us kids from the States and comes to class 10-20 min late each day and then yells at us about how we act like we don't want to be there . . . maybe it is because we are picking up on a message that she is sending out to us. hmmm.