i’m leaving on a jet plane… ::

Well, actually, I’m not…yet. 

But my friends from American are flying high in the sky on their way to South Africa as I write. 

And eight of my friends are flying back to America tomorrow evening. I’m not a fan of goodbyes! It’s hard to believe that over 10 months have passed since we arrived. It’s been cool to see how lifelong friendships have formed. We’ve seen God work in amazing ways this year, I’m excited to see what’s to come. 

I will be traveling over the next couple weeks, so my blog posts may be sparatic. But, I’ll do my best to keep you updated!

46 hours and counting ::

In 46 hours my best friend’s flight will be landing in JoBerg and I will be patiently (or not so patiently) waiting to greet her.

Life is good!

Cape Town or Bust ::

Here are some photos from our debriefing trip to Cape Town. There was plenty of time to “debrief” and talk about transitioning back in America, for as short of a time as that may be for some of us. There was also plenty of time for fun. And the sun.

You can see more photos here. Oh, and check out our Thanksgiving adventures too.

Shannon and the Baboons…

Jackass Penguins, one of 17 varieties of Penguins in the world (I sat by a guy that studied penguins on a plane once…)

give thanks ::

Over the last few years, I’ve spent a majority of holidays leaving my house with sleep-filled eyes at 6:30am, only to parade around a restaurant in a ridiculous outfit all day…hoping I make decent money to make me feel a little bit better about spending my day in the land of tourists.

Then, finally arriving home sometime before midnight and opening the refrigerator to see what I can scrounge to eat, realizing that I forgot to go to the grocery store and I’m stuck with stale pitas and hummus (no worries…I love hummus enough to deal with the staleness). And then, probably doing that all over again the next day.

I’m not complaining.

Because all of those holidays make me so much more thankful for days like today. Days where I can wake up late. Then, enjoy a extravagant turkey (or no turkey for me…) filled afternoon with my “african” family, complete with apple and pumpkin pie. Finished off by a evening of four-wheelers and a mud pit. And days where look forward to Christmas at home. Sigh. Now, that’s exciting. 

So, here’s to new (to me) traditions of mud pits and post-it notes full of things we’re all thankful for. 

i have a lot to be thankful for…

it’s a gift to be simple ::

I love reading. A lot. Sadly, this year, I don’t feel like I’ve read much at all. Well, I’ve started a bunch…but rarely get around to finishing them. But tonight I did read a book in one sitting, and then finished one I started in the car yesterday and then started a third (I know! I feel quite accomplished…).

Here’s a quote from one of the books that really stuck out to me. 

Don’t mistake the simple for the unsophisticated.

So true! I get so caught up in keeping up with stuff sometimes that I forget how simple is often better. I clutter my life with things that are “sophisticated” or “up-to-date” without realizing that all it is, is just clutter.

and back… ::

8 days, 30+ hours in a car, penguin sitings, sand dune jumps, too close for comfort baboon run-ins and breathtaking beaches later I’m back in Harrismith for a few days. 

Cape Town was, as expected, amazing. It’s such a cool city.

I’ll post pictures tomorrow. 

But, right now I’m tired. I have email to respond to and phone calls to make. Especially because in just a few days, I’ll be off again…this time with friends from the States (part of our travel plans are to head to Zimbabwe for a couple days, I checked just now and there are no additional travel warnings–not that I think that would really stop us– but it looks like we’re in the clear).

But, for now, I think I’ll go to bed. The internet is being slow. My eyes are tired and my ankles and feet swollen from a long day of sitting (um, I know! so ridiculous…it makes me feel so old!). 

see you on the flip side!

done.//

faux pax, sesotho style ::

Normally I wouldn’t post twice in one day…but this was too good to wait until after Cape Town. Enjoy!

The coaches (Basotho young-adults who teach our AIDS Prevention classes in local schools) were here on Sunday to begin a few days of training. It was great to spend an afternoon with them: playing soccer and watching a movie, followed by dinner and a bonfire.

But, the highlight of my night was during the group photo.

We did a normal photo, a serious photo, a silly photo and suddenly Crystal yells, “show your motswele.” 

Laughter erupted. 

She turned red.

She meant “mosepha” (spelling??), which means muscles.

She said “motswele” which is boobs.

My friend told a group of 25 people to show their boobs to the camera. 

Sigh. 

I’m laughing out loud as I write this. Throughout the rest of the evening, all someone had to say was “mostwele” for everyone to erupt into laughter once again. 

I love awkward moments!

where in the world? ::

My best friend was Carmen Santiago for Halloween. But, that’s beside the point, I suppose. 

I’ll be traveling starting tomorrow morning at 4am until right before Christmas. 

Want to know where I’ll be? I’m glad you asked…

November 17-25 :: Cape Town, South Africa

November 26-December 1 :: Harrismith, South Africa (back on the base for Thanksgiving, packing, etc.)

December 1-December 15 :: Joberg, Victoria Falls (and Zimbabwe), The Kruger, etc….

December 16-18 :: Minneapolis

December 18-23 :: Orlando

December 23 :: and home….

whew. 

All that to say, I might be MIA from blogging for a little longer. But, I’ll be sure to catch you up when I’m back.

done.//

confession ::

My best friend will be South Africa bound in 2 weeks. You know when you’re at the airport waiting for someone, and you see people making fools of themselves as their loved ones walk through the gate. 

That will be me. 

done.//

manners ::

 

We had a party for the kids on Friday. 

What’s a good party without stuffing cookies in your mouth and, of course, showing everyone.

Clearly, I’m a good influence.