(This is blog #2 in two days so if you haven't read yesterdays you've got double duty :))
Tonight I went to Hillsong of Cape Town. I definitely felt like I was in the states. They rent out a hall in a convention center for their services in Downtown Cape Town. The feeling was very Mosiac (Erwin McManis’s church in Downtown LA), or FLOOD (Sean Randall’s old(?) church in Sac), etc. because of the look when we walked in. The people who went were very trendy and I think every girl re-evaluated her outfit when we walked in! 5/6 girls on stage had boots on with skinni jeans under them- apparently the big trend right now! Worship was SO well done. You can tell these people are trained vocalists and have a great director. The whole service was very organized and their logistics person did a great job. All the staff knew when to be where and everyone on stage looked where the audience should be looking (ie. the screen or the speaker, etc.). All to say, it was a great service. I also realized that for one of the first times since being in SA I experienced worship I was completely comfortable with and LOVED it! It was so great to feel in my element when at church. There were only about 3 references that were lost in translation- a huge improvement! I think that’s because Hillsong breeds people from the US, Australia, and Europe so there wasn’t many South African references. One girl definitely was from the states… probably Midwest as she said “o” different than me. Anyways, back to the service. They had a TON of baptisms, probably 25, and got those people in and OUT of that water fast! We had lots of worship, which was great. Offering. Speaker who really remineded me of an Australian Dad! Not because of looks but how he spoke made him very relatable towards the audience and he broke down John 16:33 into basic truths (which Dad is really good at doing- simplifying scripture then applying it to today). So that was really great.
The most impactful thing for me in this service was what was running through my mind during worship. I kept thinking of some of the women and kids I met at Project Gateway and couldn’t get their faces, life stories, and sad eyes out of my brain. When I would sing about God being faithful or lifting me out of bondage or being holy, all I could do was cry and think about them. These women and kids have faced more hardship than I ever will. It’s true. And thinking about how they can have gone through all of that and still hope and trust in the Lord really brought a new perspective for me. But I couldn’t stop praying for them. I felt like in that moment each face in my mind needed prayer and protection so I couldn’t push that out of my mind. So tonight their beautiful faces have flashed through my mind. I miss them. I miss trying to be an encouragement for them when not many people are. I miss giving them an opportunity to forget their mothers and abandoned and let them play like the girls they are!
*sigh* So that was my Sunday night. Came home for some wonderful homemade lasagna thanks to “Mom” and now I’m about to start and finish one of my two papers. Yes, it is due tomorrow. Don’t worry, Mom. I’m about it do it. :) I know, not about it. I’m doing it NOW. :)
With my love from Athlone (the town I live in), South Africa
Paigey
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
"Is it? Shame..."
(Typical SA phrase...)
Hello everyone!!!
I am doing so well :) I know my other blogs have been full of frustration and sickness, but I want to let you know that I am doing great. This part of the trip doesn't compare to Pietermaritzburg, but I've decided that doesn't matter! We still are having a great time, even if the experience is different. Out professor Quinton has adapted to our "type A American learning styles" and given us lists of what he expects which has given us all some ease as now we have in writing what he expects from us. We are all starting to figure out transportation are starting to be able to get out more. My host family is BEYOND wonderful!!! This whole time they've been such a breath of fresh air for me :)
I had been pretty frustrated and then I went to go do some homework at my house, sat down at my desk and turned on my iTunes (which is pretty rare because I actually love sitting in silence) and I started organizing my papers, etc. and then the lyrics popped out to me so vividly:
"I'm coming back to the heart of worship,
When it's all about you,
It's all about you Jesus.
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it,
When it's all about you, it's all about you Jesus."
And it really hit me hard: I have made this whole Cape Town experience about me. I viewed Pietermaritzburg as service and focusing on God and then I came to Cape Town to have MY vacation and on the side do a class. Thus I have had such a selfish mindset when it has come to everything and have been really thinking about myself. The verse came to mind "do everything without complaining and arguing" and I read Phil. 2 and I realized that I really needed to change my mindset. And ever since that, Tuesday night, I have been doing much better here. Of course nothing has changed except my mindset really, but that makes all the difference!
Wednesday after class we had a very short chapel but it was a really good time to be able to finally sit in a circle as the group and just relax for a half hour. I shared what I had learned the night before (above) and other people shared what God is doing in their lives and how their time here is and then we had a time of prayer. It was really needed for our group and I think we all appreciated being as a group again!
Wednesday after that I worked SO hard on my homework and finished a ton of it. I still have two 5-6 pg papers to write and a bunch of "culture logs" where we log conversations we have here and what we're learning (but many of them are specific so we actually have to figure out how to have these conversations with people). The homework here is way more intense than anything we expected and it's been a big bummer since we have such a short time in Cape Town we want to do all that we can for fun! Luckily since I worked so hard I got to treat myself that night to going out :) Me, Katie, Micah and Dave all went to town and met about 7 others and we went dancing. Now, I feel a little weird saying this and not knowing everyone's thoughts on it. But just know, it was harmless dancing. The girls here are SO fun and we just have a good time dancing around and it's not weird, like you may be thinking. So we had a great time. Oh, but the town was such a ghost town since it was voting day, which is a public holiday here in SA and everything closes!
The winner of the elections, Jacob Zuma, who is part of the ANC party is very controversial. He is quoted saying that he had sex with a woman who had AIDS but since he took a shower after he was ok. He also has five wives and polygamy isn't widely accepted here, but many people like the ANC and some people, despite Zuma actually being an awful man and a rapist, still wanted him to be the president. So our prayer is that he turns out to be wonderful leader and sticks with Mandela's viewpoints of peaceful leadership and unification, even though Zuma is also quoted to have said that he wants to oppress the white people of SA. *sigh* That's not much progress...
Thursday we went on a tour of the Cape of Good Hope and other parts of SA. We saw a penguin beach and it was SO pretty!!! I was a dork and wore shorts that day and it was on and off rain, but I had a great day!!! A friend Grant and I watched You've Got Mail on the way there (which is one of my favorite movies!) and I had to stop myself from quoting the whole thing : ) A bunch of us took a really beautiful hike up part of the cape and, if you look on Facebook, you'll see tons of pictures from that! :) So pretty!!!
We came back that night and did some homework and hung out at our house. I actually think I went to bed early instead of doing homework. Oh, and our host family could not be more perfect! Katie and I LOVE them! We call them Mom and Dad and call each other Sister. And we couldn't have better parents! They're seriously the most thoughtful people!!
Friday we had class in the morning and then after some of us took the train into Cape Town. It cost R11 (or about $1.30) to go into Cape Town and back, about 25 minutes each way and it drops you off right at Green Market Square which is the big market with shopping. And I went to shop for others but ended up buying myself the cutest teapot!! :) It's small and colorful and has an elephant on each side :) The woman who sold it to me ended up wrapping it up in a TON of bubble wrap so now I have the adventure of bringing THAT in my suitcase! Ha! I'm going to be leaving a lot of clothes here so I can fit these tea pots and decorations I've bought back home!
That night the whole group went to play Action Cricket and Action Soccer. "Action" because it was just condensed games of cricket and soccer. I'm not the best at soccer so that one wasn't my fav but I loved cricket for some reason! It's not even the most fun sport, but I really enjoyed it and got really into it. And, not to brag or anything, but I was on the winning team ;)
Saturday was my first day to sleep it and it was GLORIOUS!!! I honestly haven't slept in in a long, long time! I had tons of weird dreams because I really woke up at 8am but made myself sleep on and off until 10. Then Katie and I hung out in her room and got ready late and went over to Micah and Grant's house (our usual hangout spot- a great house!) and ate dinner over there and played games and cards. Lauren and Ashleigh joined that evening and we played more games and watched Collateral which was SO good! Hadn't seen it before. And of course my Dad came and picked us up right when the end was happening so I really don't know what happened! Kinda the story of my life considering we have to get rides everywhere, we never end up finishing movies. So that was a fun night :)
Today, I actually slept until 10! My family was at church so I rummaged around the kitchen and made breakfast (aka toast and tea! haha.. not that impressive but in a foreign country it IS because things are so different here!!) and then our parents came home. Katie and I once again got ready and talked and listen to country music for a while. Tonight we are going to a Hillsong church that's about an hour away and I'm STOKED for the worship!!! If you don't know, Hillsong is a organization out of Australia which breeds really great worship leaders, bands, etc. (I may have gotten that wrong, but that's what I think it is) And I haven't been to church in 3 weeks and I'm craving some good church time!
This week is our last official week in Cape Town!!! I am really excited. I mean, I love it here, but man am I ready to be in the states, with Jeremy, and with our families and friends! This week I have two papers to write which is annoying, considering they're research papers and I only have internet access when I go to school! but I'm sure we'll all do some trips into town for some fun outings and last minute shopping... which everyone has saved for here! Eek! Lots of things to do and so little time! :)
Physically I'm doing much better. The only times I've felt sick in the last couple weeks have been if I ate too much sugar, which is self-induced. So luckily the stomach pains, etc. have subsided. Yey! And my new no fish policy is working out great! Finally, an excuse for me to not eat fish!! Mom, don't you wish this had come up earlier so I didn't have to spend years complaining?? :)
I really miss home lately but I've been pushing that out of my mind since I will be home so soon and will probably miss South Africa the first day I'm gone! Ha.. SO it's easier for me not to think about going and focus on being here. Communication here is awful, and I recently lost my calling card which is SO annoying because I was so excited to talk to Jeremy and I went to go call him and didn't have it :( :( So I may have to get another one because I would love to be able to TALK to people, considering I can't do anything besides email right now!
My hair is getting long, if you haven't noticed in pictures. Katie and I cut our bangs ourselves last week because we were sick of them being grown out and awkward and we did an AWFUL job! Ha! Like, no one would really think that upon a glance but if you look at them you'll see that they're really weird. So I'm looking forward to a good haircut by Kelli when I get back! Already made my appointment :)
Humm.. I don't really have anything else of substance to say. I'm enjoying being here a lot more as time goes by, but I'm also WAY looking forward to coming home. We've all turned into siblings here so it's funny how our dynamic has changed and now we tell people to be quiet quicker than we would have, or tell them that they're annoying us, or something like that. But we all love each other so it's not like there's conflict... but the group is definitely more comfortable with each other than when we got here, which is great :)
Well, I think that's all on I have! I am SO excited to see my closet at home... the clothes I've been wearing are DEFINITELY not my favorites anymore! Ha! I can't wait to switch out some shirts and see dresses I've forgotten about! :) Oh, and to see different jewelry.. well let's just say I brought the bare essentials here and am needing to switch it up!
With LOVE from South Africa,
Only 9 more days until I get on a plane!!! 10 days until I'm at LAX!!!!
-Paige
Hello everyone!!!
I am doing so well :) I know my other blogs have been full of frustration and sickness, but I want to let you know that I am doing great. This part of the trip doesn't compare to Pietermaritzburg, but I've decided that doesn't matter! We still are having a great time, even if the experience is different. Out professor Quinton has adapted to our "type A American learning styles" and given us lists of what he expects which has given us all some ease as now we have in writing what he expects from us. We are all starting to figure out transportation are starting to be able to get out more. My host family is BEYOND wonderful!!! This whole time they've been such a breath of fresh air for me :)
I had been pretty frustrated and then I went to go do some homework at my house, sat down at my desk and turned on my iTunes (which is pretty rare because I actually love sitting in silence) and I started organizing my papers, etc. and then the lyrics popped out to me so vividly:
"I'm coming back to the heart of worship,
When it's all about you,
It's all about you Jesus.
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it,
When it's all about you, it's all about you Jesus."
And it really hit me hard: I have made this whole Cape Town experience about me. I viewed Pietermaritzburg as service and focusing on God and then I came to Cape Town to have MY vacation and on the side do a class. Thus I have had such a selfish mindset when it has come to everything and have been really thinking about myself. The verse came to mind "do everything without complaining and arguing" and I read Phil. 2 and I realized that I really needed to change my mindset. And ever since that, Tuesday night, I have been doing much better here. Of course nothing has changed except my mindset really, but that makes all the difference!
Wednesday after class we had a very short chapel but it was a really good time to be able to finally sit in a circle as the group and just relax for a half hour. I shared what I had learned the night before (above) and other people shared what God is doing in their lives and how their time here is and then we had a time of prayer. It was really needed for our group and I think we all appreciated being as a group again!
Wednesday after that I worked SO hard on my homework and finished a ton of it. I still have two 5-6 pg papers to write and a bunch of "culture logs" where we log conversations we have here and what we're learning (but many of them are specific so we actually have to figure out how to have these conversations with people). The homework here is way more intense than anything we expected and it's been a big bummer since we have such a short time in Cape Town we want to do all that we can for fun! Luckily since I worked so hard I got to treat myself that night to going out :) Me, Katie, Micah and Dave all went to town and met about 7 others and we went dancing. Now, I feel a little weird saying this and not knowing everyone's thoughts on it. But just know, it was harmless dancing. The girls here are SO fun and we just have a good time dancing around and it's not weird, like you may be thinking. So we had a great time. Oh, but the town was such a ghost town since it was voting day, which is a public holiday here in SA and everything closes!
The winner of the elections, Jacob Zuma, who is part of the ANC party is very controversial. He is quoted saying that he had sex with a woman who had AIDS but since he took a shower after he was ok. He also has five wives and polygamy isn't widely accepted here, but many people like the ANC and some people, despite Zuma actually being an awful man and a rapist, still wanted him to be the president. So our prayer is that he turns out to be wonderful leader and sticks with Mandela's viewpoints of peaceful leadership and unification, even though Zuma is also quoted to have said that he wants to oppress the white people of SA. *sigh* That's not much progress...
Thursday we went on a tour of the Cape of Good Hope and other parts of SA. We saw a penguin beach and it was SO pretty!!! I was a dork and wore shorts that day and it was on and off rain, but I had a great day!!! A friend Grant and I watched You've Got Mail on the way there (which is one of my favorite movies!) and I had to stop myself from quoting the whole thing : ) A bunch of us took a really beautiful hike up part of the cape and, if you look on Facebook, you'll see tons of pictures from that! :) So pretty!!!
We came back that night and did some homework and hung out at our house. I actually think I went to bed early instead of doing homework. Oh, and our host family could not be more perfect! Katie and I LOVE them! We call them Mom and Dad and call each other Sister. And we couldn't have better parents! They're seriously the most thoughtful people!!
Friday we had class in the morning and then after some of us took the train into Cape Town. It cost R11 (or about $1.30) to go into Cape Town and back, about 25 minutes each way and it drops you off right at Green Market Square which is the big market with shopping. And I went to shop for others but ended up buying myself the cutest teapot!! :) It's small and colorful and has an elephant on each side :) The woman who sold it to me ended up wrapping it up in a TON of bubble wrap so now I have the adventure of bringing THAT in my suitcase! Ha! I'm going to be leaving a lot of clothes here so I can fit these tea pots and decorations I've bought back home!
That night the whole group went to play Action Cricket and Action Soccer. "Action" because it was just condensed games of cricket and soccer. I'm not the best at soccer so that one wasn't my fav but I loved cricket for some reason! It's not even the most fun sport, but I really enjoyed it and got really into it. And, not to brag or anything, but I was on the winning team ;)
Saturday was my first day to sleep it and it was GLORIOUS!!! I honestly haven't slept in in a long, long time! I had tons of weird dreams because I really woke up at 8am but made myself sleep on and off until 10. Then Katie and I hung out in her room and got ready late and went over to Micah and Grant's house (our usual hangout spot- a great house!) and ate dinner over there and played games and cards. Lauren and Ashleigh joined that evening and we played more games and watched Collateral which was SO good! Hadn't seen it before. And of course my Dad came and picked us up right when the end was happening so I really don't know what happened! Kinda the story of my life considering we have to get rides everywhere, we never end up finishing movies. So that was a fun night :)
Today, I actually slept until 10! My family was at church so I rummaged around the kitchen and made breakfast (aka toast and tea! haha.. not that impressive but in a foreign country it IS because things are so different here!!) and then our parents came home. Katie and I once again got ready and talked and listen to country music for a while. Tonight we are going to a Hillsong church that's about an hour away and I'm STOKED for the worship!!! If you don't know, Hillsong is a organization out of Australia which breeds really great worship leaders, bands, etc. (I may have gotten that wrong, but that's what I think it is) And I haven't been to church in 3 weeks and I'm craving some good church time!
This week is our last official week in Cape Town!!! I am really excited. I mean, I love it here, but man am I ready to be in the states, with Jeremy, and with our families and friends! This week I have two papers to write which is annoying, considering they're research papers and I only have internet access when I go to school! but I'm sure we'll all do some trips into town for some fun outings and last minute shopping... which everyone has saved for here! Eek! Lots of things to do and so little time! :)
Physically I'm doing much better. The only times I've felt sick in the last couple weeks have been if I ate too much sugar, which is self-induced. So luckily the stomach pains, etc. have subsided. Yey! And my new no fish policy is working out great! Finally, an excuse for me to not eat fish!! Mom, don't you wish this had come up earlier so I didn't have to spend years complaining?? :)
I really miss home lately but I've been pushing that out of my mind since I will be home so soon and will probably miss South Africa the first day I'm gone! Ha.. SO it's easier for me not to think about going and focus on being here. Communication here is awful, and I recently lost my calling card which is SO annoying because I was so excited to talk to Jeremy and I went to go call him and didn't have it :( :( So I may have to get another one because I would love to be able to TALK to people, considering I can't do anything besides email right now!
My hair is getting long, if you haven't noticed in pictures. Katie and I cut our bangs ourselves last week because we were sick of them being grown out and awkward and we did an AWFUL job! Ha! Like, no one would really think that upon a glance but if you look at them you'll see that they're really weird. So I'm looking forward to a good haircut by Kelli when I get back! Already made my appointment :)
Humm.. I don't really have anything else of substance to say. I'm enjoying being here a lot more as time goes by, but I'm also WAY looking forward to coming home. We've all turned into siblings here so it's funny how our dynamic has changed and now we tell people to be quiet quicker than we would have, or tell them that they're annoying us, or something like that. But we all love each other so it's not like there's conflict... but the group is definitely more comfortable with each other than when we got here, which is great :)
Well, I think that's all on I have! I am SO excited to see my closet at home... the clothes I've been wearing are DEFINITELY not my favorites anymore! Ha! I can't wait to switch out some shirts and see dresses I've forgotten about! :) Oh, and to see different jewelry.. well let's just say I brought the bare essentials here and am needing to switch it up!
With LOVE from South Africa,
Only 9 more days until I get on a plane!!! 10 days until I'm at LAX!!!!
-Paige
Monday, April 20, 2009
Dr Results
Hello! Wow I'm an avid blogger lately!
Wanted to let you all know that my pathology report came back and I am in the clear. Nothing bad... aka no blood. So I am good :) Going to go to my doctor at home when i get back to figure this body of mine out but there's nothing seriously wrong, praise the LORD!!
Doing well. TONS of homework which is a drag.
With love,
Paige
Wanted to let you all know that my pathology report came back and I am in the clear. Nothing bad... aka no blood. So I am good :) Going to go to my doctor at home when i get back to figure this body of mine out but there's nothing seriously wrong, praise the LORD!!
Doing well. TONS of homework which is a drag.
With love,
Paige
Sunday, April 19, 2009
I'm alive!
Hello blog people!!!
While writing this I am laying in bed wrapped up in a blanket! It is really cold here in Cape Town. And no, not actually cold for all you South Dakotans. Like, I have to wear a jacket and sometimes socks and shoes cold. Ha! It’s been rainy here.
This week has had ups and downs. It is the first time many of us are having culture shock. The leadership of this part of the program is really lacking and I am finding myself in charge of a lot suddenly. So that has been hard. But in between those moments have been VERY good moments!! Last night (Saturday night) my roommate Katie and I, along with Laura Jane, Grant and Micah all went to a place called Grand West. It was like an indoor Downtown Disney about 20 minutes away! We had a lot of fun! It was the first time we’ve gotten to go out since being here and actually feel like adults. Hahaha even though we had to be dropped off and picked up by my mom and dad here. Ha! They are very protective of us and won’t let us use public transport so will take us anywhere. So sweet. So we had a really fun time there! There have also been fun times on the bus, as for many of us it’s finally a time to catch up with the others we haven’t gotten to see.
I am pretty bummed out about the vibe our group has here in Cape Town. We are such a lively, fun group and since being here many people have been frustrated and tired. So that’s been hard… as it feels like we’re ending on a low note. Luckily we have two days together as a group right before we fly out to the states where we can all reconnect. I’m looking forward to those : ) And I really hope things can start looking up for more people. It’s hard when the group is bummed out!
I’m trying REALLY hard to not wish this part of the trip away! First, my home stay family is more than wonderful. My mom, Sonja, was a cook for 13 years and our meals are MORE than amazing! And they seem very entertained by Katie and I as they laugh at us a lot… so it has been very fun here. Also, Jeremy and I have talked about this a lot, that if I am going to be gone from him for so long I better be enjoying myself!!! : ) Haha… so I have to remember to stay positive. But even though I’m trying to live in the “now” I am very excited for some things to come:
Tomorrow (20th) I get to register for Fall classes!!! And I love doing that : )
May 7 – I fly into LA! Jeremy is picking me up from LAX hopefully : ) If not I’ll hitch a ride back with some friends and see him at school after his final! (Which is the reason he wouldn’t be able to pick me up)
May 12 – Jeremy and I leave staying at his wonderful home and fly to Sacramento to my wonderful home! Hopefully baby Chet doesn’t decide to come before that!
May 18 – Jeremy goes home :(
June 24 – Jeremy goes to Minnesota with his family!
June 28 – Now I get to fly to Minnestoa and enjoy it out there!!
July 5 – Jennings/Odgers drive to San Diego for Mom’s ordination
July 6 – I get to fly into SD for Mom’s ordination!!!
July 7 – Mom’s ordination!!!!
July 9 – home to SAC : )
July 25 – Aug 1 – Family Vacation to San Diego
In the mean time I will hopefully have gotten a job! I’m sure Starbucks will be what I end up doing… but am open to doing other things! : )
I apologize for not being better at doing more individual emails. I really just don’t have the time. Looking forward to being in the states again and having access to my phone! Or Internet! Or Skype!! :) But know that every email I do get I read. I have a new method of opening a TON of windows on my computer and then when I come home I read my emails! I don’t know if you know my sister’s blog (theodgersfamily.blogspot.com) but she posted the CUTEST pictures of my niece, Evie on Easter! !! And below that she has her maternity photos posted!! They’re all so cute! Look at them : )
Oh, my aunt Barb makes the BEST strawberry pie in the world and I got an email from her reminding me that it’s that time of the year! Barbie, that made me miss you SO much! Ha, and not just because of your strawberry pie, but because of our ice cream trips and shopping and talks : ) I love your emails and updates. I wish I could have been at Brooke’s baby shower! I’m so glad it was great :) Can’t wait to see pictures (hint hint Brooke!!)
Today I’ve felt much better physically. I haven’t had stomach pains and if I do they’re very dull and not a big deal. I haven’t had to take my medicine. I keep forgetting to call the doctor so I will have to do that tomorrow to see if she got the results from the pathology people!!
Until next time.
With love from Sa… haha I almost wrote Sacramento. With love from SOUTH Africa,
Paige
While writing this I am laying in bed wrapped up in a blanket! It is really cold here in Cape Town. And no, not actually cold for all you South Dakotans. Like, I have to wear a jacket and sometimes socks and shoes cold. Ha! It’s been rainy here.
This week has had ups and downs. It is the first time many of us are having culture shock. The leadership of this part of the program is really lacking and I am finding myself in charge of a lot suddenly. So that has been hard. But in between those moments have been VERY good moments!! Last night (Saturday night) my roommate Katie and I, along with Laura Jane, Grant and Micah all went to a place called Grand West. It was like an indoor Downtown Disney about 20 minutes away! We had a lot of fun! It was the first time we’ve gotten to go out since being here and actually feel like adults. Hahaha even though we had to be dropped off and picked up by my mom and dad here. Ha! They are very protective of us and won’t let us use public transport so will take us anywhere. So sweet. So we had a really fun time there! There have also been fun times on the bus, as for many of us it’s finally a time to catch up with the others we haven’t gotten to see.
I am pretty bummed out about the vibe our group has here in Cape Town. We are such a lively, fun group and since being here many people have been frustrated and tired. So that’s been hard… as it feels like we’re ending on a low note. Luckily we have two days together as a group right before we fly out to the states where we can all reconnect. I’m looking forward to those : ) And I really hope things can start looking up for more people. It’s hard when the group is bummed out!
I’m trying REALLY hard to not wish this part of the trip away! First, my home stay family is more than wonderful. My mom, Sonja, was a cook for 13 years and our meals are MORE than amazing! And they seem very entertained by Katie and I as they laugh at us a lot… so it has been very fun here. Also, Jeremy and I have talked about this a lot, that if I am going to be gone from him for so long I better be enjoying myself!!! : ) Haha… so I have to remember to stay positive. But even though I’m trying to live in the “now” I am very excited for some things to come:
Tomorrow (20th) I get to register for Fall classes!!! And I love doing that : )
May 7 – I fly into LA! Jeremy is picking me up from LAX hopefully : ) If not I’ll hitch a ride back with some friends and see him at school after his final! (Which is the reason he wouldn’t be able to pick me up)
May 12 – Jeremy and I leave staying at his wonderful home and fly to Sacramento to my wonderful home! Hopefully baby Chet doesn’t decide to come before that!
May 18 – Jeremy goes home :(
June 24 – Jeremy goes to Minnesota with his family!
June 28 – Now I get to fly to Minnestoa and enjoy it out there!!
July 5 – Jennings/Odgers drive to San Diego for Mom’s ordination
July 6 – I get to fly into SD for Mom’s ordination!!!
July 7 – Mom’s ordination!!!!
July 9 – home to SAC : )
July 25 – Aug 1 – Family Vacation to San Diego
In the mean time I will hopefully have gotten a job! I’m sure Starbucks will be what I end up doing… but am open to doing other things! : )
I apologize for not being better at doing more individual emails. I really just don’t have the time. Looking forward to being in the states again and having access to my phone! Or Internet! Or Skype!! :) But know that every email I do get I read. I have a new method of opening a TON of windows on my computer and then when I come home I read my emails! I don’t know if you know my sister’s blog (theodgersfamily.blogspot.com) but she posted the CUTEST pictures of my niece, Evie on Easter! !! And below that she has her maternity photos posted!! They’re all so cute! Look at them : )
Oh, my aunt Barb makes the BEST strawberry pie in the world and I got an email from her reminding me that it’s that time of the year! Barbie, that made me miss you SO much! Ha, and not just because of your strawberry pie, but because of our ice cream trips and shopping and talks : ) I love your emails and updates. I wish I could have been at Brooke’s baby shower! I’m so glad it was great :) Can’t wait to see pictures (hint hint Brooke!!)
Today I’ve felt much better physically. I haven’t had stomach pains and if I do they’re very dull and not a big deal. I haven’t had to take my medicine. I keep forgetting to call the doctor so I will have to do that tomorrow to see if she got the results from the pathology people!!
Until next time.
With love from Sa… haha I almost wrote Sacramento. With love from SOUTH Africa,
Paige
Friday, April 17, 2009
Oh fish...
Hello ☺ Sorry my last blog had to be so short. The bus almost left me and the other people in the computer lab!! Let me expand on everything that’s been going on here. (AKA this is a long blog... but obviously SO worth the read!) ; )
Ok so we got to Cape Town Tuesday nigh. On Wednesday I went to the doctor in the AM and then met up with the group as we did a walking tour of Cape Town. The past few days I’ve felt “ok”. I am definitely interested to see what my stool sample shows and where my doctor wants to go with it all. When I was there she mentioned doing a scope (camera on a string down to your stomach and probably just my upper intestines) depending on what the results are. I on the other hand think if that’s the case I will wait until I’m home and have my regular doctor do those kinds of tests as I will be seeing her a lot this summer anyways. My guess is that I have stomach ulcers. It would make since if they were stress induced considering I got sick when I first got here, in the middle of doing service sites, and as I was leaving for Cape Town. My nursing friends here think that’s probable as well. So I’m trying to stick with the BRATS diet (Bananas, Rice, Apples, Toast and something that starts with S…). It’s really hard for me to not have WebMd at my fingertips!!
Going on with Wednesday: so we had a whole walking tour which was enjoyable but very tiring. We didn’t stop walking from 11am-3pm for lunch and it was warm! But it was fun : ) We got back to our hotel which was in downtown Cape Town (which TOTALLY looked and felt like San Diego) and debriefed from our trip. It’s cool because this semester is so new they’re always asking us our opinions to make everything we do better if possible. Our main guy this whole time has been Reg, and now we have been passed onto Quinton. These guys couldn’t be more opposite in personality and approach to things so it’s been an interesting transition! But we really do love them both. After that we got back on the bus with everything we own and went to Cornerstone Christian College (CCC from now on).
At Cornerstone we all hung out for a bit, got our rooming assignments (I am with a wonderful friend and nursing student who’s about to graduate in July, Katie! She’s also Traci’s, Jeremy’s to be sister-in-law, good friend!) and then a few hours later met our host family. Katie and I have the CUTEST host family!!! Their names are Edward and Sonja and they’ve been married for 40 years. : ) We got to hang out with them and have dinner with them that night at CCC and with those few hours got to know them so well! Sonja is very, very soft and sweet. I’d describe her like my Grandma Dori, my Mom’s mom. She always makes sure we have food, are comfortable, and understand what’s going on. She also loves tea and makes sure we have our fill! : ) Her husband Edward is a little more outgoing and talkative and our right hand man this trip as he is our driver to and from school. We really love them both! They are both very protective of Katie and myself and have a policy that we are not to use public transport. They say they’d rather stay up and take us somewhere or pick us up then lay in bed worrying if we got there OK. So that was very sweet of them and I feel very looked after here!
So Wednesday night I wasn’t feeling all that great (as in I had some stomach pains and was pretty tired) but it wasn’t bad. Katie and I got into our beautiful home, met Sonja and Edward’s kids that were in town from Germany and their grandkids! We had a FULL house that night but it was so much fun! It made me feel like I was at home as we always have a full house! I loved waking up and a bunch of people were here. Also it was hilarious because one of the kids doesn’t speak English so I suddenly go from learning Zulu phrases to German ones! Even Zulu doesn’t help with the local people as they speek Kosa. (And yes, that name starts with a click! So “*click*osa”) Oddly enough three students on this trip have lived in Germany and know it pretty well, so they helped out.
Thursday (yesterday) Katie and I got ready and went to school and that’s when I blogged last. We spent our day on the coach driving around the city we’re in… to be honest I don’t even know the name. It’s about 45 minutes outside of Downtown Cape Town. We went to a few organizations and saw the biggest township in South Africa, holding over a million people. It was shacks as far as the eye could see. I’ve never seen so many houses on top of each other! And I’m going to be honest here: this part of the trip was a big dud. If this had been one of the first things we did while in SA it would have been so cool, but most of us worked in townships every day and got to know people well… so none of the things we’ve done so far in Cape Town have really fit our expectations since the program is still the same as when people came here for their first 3 weeks in SA. But it’s not all bad…we’ve just had some frustrating times.
Two girls who I’m close with, Laura Jane and Megan Goeman, live across the street from Katie and myself, so when we got done a little early yesterday, their house mom Gloria came and picked us up and we had tea over there. (FYI in all of SA tea is at 10am and 4pm! Love it!). They live with both Glora and Stella, two sisters who have lived in the same house their whole life together. Never married and now are in retirement. One works inside, cooking and cleaning and the other outside! So cute!
Then Katie and myself came back to my house for dinner. Can I just say it’s been SO nice to have home cooked meals that haven’t been made for the masses! We had fresh fish, potatoes, salad and beans. And the salad had REAL romaine lettuce! : ) So I was a little skeptical about eating fish since last time I did I spent the night throwing up. But I figured, “Oh my body’s so sensitive to food… I’m sure it was just something else or my ulcers…” AND we had been told it’s extremely inappropriate not to eat what your host family gives you. Well, I think it’s a little more rude to throw it all up that night. Yes folks, last night I spent my night puking. Katie and I went over to Chad, Micah and Grant’s house to hang out and play games and watch movies and there I spent about an hour puking. They were all so sweet and really felt bad for me. Poor Grant came in to check on me and right as he walked in I started throwing up again. Haha… it was a pathetic sight. But in some ways I actually feel like a pro in this area. Pulled my hair all back. Took my earrings off. Got a glass of water and went to town. We were going to be picked up soon anyways so we didn’t have to call for Edward to pick us up again. He was very sweet and drove home at record pace. I kinda fell asleep but about an hour into it I was definitely throwing up again. Luckily that was the last of it. And I don’t think I popped any blood vessles in my face this time! YEY!
So the moral of that story is 1) I’m allergic to fish 2) my host family would much rather me say, “I’m so sorry, I can’t eat this” then have me spent the night that way! Sonja was the sweetest thing when I got home and got me everything I could need from hot water to a bucket. I love those two! 3) every time I throw up I am thinking “I can never be pregnant! How do people live like this for three months!?! I can’t have kids! How do people have KIDS?? Poor Mom! I can adopt. Yes, I can adopt kids. I can’t have more than two. I can’t do this more than two times!” Hahaha… so I’m either praying for boys (less morning sickness typically) or to have the miracle body that doesn’t get sick! And as you may guess, that’s not gunna happen!
So that’s where this blog leaves me at. I’m hanging out in my room… it’s about 4:30am on Friday, April 17th and I definitely can’t sleep anymore. I keep waking up being SO hungry so next to me is a bag of pretzels and some bananas, which I bought yesterday, praise the LORD!
Sorry if the blog has been too graphic lately for some of you. As you can tell I don’t mind letting people know what’s going on… but this isn’t the usual setting to share such details. Since being here I have had very, very, very limited access to email. So many times I can check my email but not have time to respond. (So FYI you can send, it just may take me a while to send back... if I can at all!) So for those of you who actually want details this is the place you’re going to get them, as I probably won’t be sending out individual emails. What I’m doing right now and what I’ll try to do is write out my emails on word documents then send them when I have internet. And things will get better when I get in a routine.
Today I’m feeling SO much better! Feeling the aftermath (soreness, tiredness) of having been sick but don’t feel sick anymore. We have class this morning from 8:30-about10:30 and then afterwards I think almost all of the group is taking the train into Cape Town which I’ll be skipping out on, considering. And if you know me well you know I HATE having to miss out on things!! But that just wouldn’t be the smartest decision. Luckily Sonja and Edward are more than accommodating. : ) So today I’ll hopefully sleep some and write out some more of these Word document emails and do a few papers I have.
Being here has made me really miss home and get ready to go home. We drove by the airport and I wanted to yell “Pull over! Send me back!!!!!” It’s hard because this part of the trip feels like a bonus or vacation… this it seems extra and not necessary! But it is really a beneficial time because the group is now pretty separated in home stays so we’re transitioning to not being together in our little commune 24-7! Which is actually really, really hard. And we’re getting used to being around new people who have no idea what our experience this trip is like so we’re having to do a lot of describing which is good practice for the next months… years... at home! Not to mention we’re close to a big, beautiful and exciting city. : )
Well, I think my body is calling for some more sleep! And maybe the rest of my banana! I really don’t want anyone to worry about my health here or be super concerned. I hope the doctor’s results come out helpful, but if not I will be home in less than three weeks and definitely am going to have mom make an appointment ASAP for me!
(Hey mom, can you make an appointment with Dr. Bisharat for me?? Sometime after the 13th for an appointment in the AM. You can say it’s for a check up and I want to be tested for food allergies, IBS, and am having health “issues” and need to consult about them! Sorry Jeremy… you may have to sit in an old people waiting room for a little bit!)
With my love from somewhere in South Africa : ) Sleepin’ on my wonderful queen size bed! : )
Paige
__________
Friday, 2:14PM update
Feeling SO much better today! Slept after I blogged. Took a shower. Went to class late. A lot of people went into Cape Town and I decided to hang back and luckily Katie did so we went to lunch at a restaurant connected to Cornerstone and then are back here doing "homework" :) I'm uploading my pictures on Facebook for you all to see what I've been up to! Probably won't be putting them on the blog so you'll have to check out Facebook to see them.
Ok so we got to Cape Town Tuesday nigh. On Wednesday I went to the doctor in the AM and then met up with the group as we did a walking tour of Cape Town. The past few days I’ve felt “ok”. I am definitely interested to see what my stool sample shows and where my doctor wants to go with it all. When I was there she mentioned doing a scope (camera on a string down to your stomach and probably just my upper intestines) depending on what the results are. I on the other hand think if that’s the case I will wait until I’m home and have my regular doctor do those kinds of tests as I will be seeing her a lot this summer anyways. My guess is that I have stomach ulcers. It would make since if they were stress induced considering I got sick when I first got here, in the middle of doing service sites, and as I was leaving for Cape Town. My nursing friends here think that’s probable as well. So I’m trying to stick with the BRATS diet (Bananas, Rice, Apples, Toast and something that starts with S…). It’s really hard for me to not have WebMd at my fingertips!!
Going on with Wednesday: so we had a whole walking tour which was enjoyable but very tiring. We didn’t stop walking from 11am-3pm for lunch and it was warm! But it was fun : ) We got back to our hotel which was in downtown Cape Town (which TOTALLY looked and felt like San Diego) and debriefed from our trip. It’s cool because this semester is so new they’re always asking us our opinions to make everything we do better if possible. Our main guy this whole time has been Reg, and now we have been passed onto Quinton. These guys couldn’t be more opposite in personality and approach to things so it’s been an interesting transition! But we really do love them both. After that we got back on the bus with everything we own and went to Cornerstone Christian College (CCC from now on).
At Cornerstone we all hung out for a bit, got our rooming assignments (I am with a wonderful friend and nursing student who’s about to graduate in July, Katie! She’s also Traci’s, Jeremy’s to be sister-in-law, good friend!) and then a few hours later met our host family. Katie and I have the CUTEST host family!!! Their names are Edward and Sonja and they’ve been married for 40 years. : ) We got to hang out with them and have dinner with them that night at CCC and with those few hours got to know them so well! Sonja is very, very soft and sweet. I’d describe her like my Grandma Dori, my Mom’s mom. She always makes sure we have food, are comfortable, and understand what’s going on. She also loves tea and makes sure we have our fill! : ) Her husband Edward is a little more outgoing and talkative and our right hand man this trip as he is our driver to and from school. We really love them both! They are both very protective of Katie and myself and have a policy that we are not to use public transport. They say they’d rather stay up and take us somewhere or pick us up then lay in bed worrying if we got there OK. So that was very sweet of them and I feel very looked after here!
So Wednesday night I wasn’t feeling all that great (as in I had some stomach pains and was pretty tired) but it wasn’t bad. Katie and I got into our beautiful home, met Sonja and Edward’s kids that were in town from Germany and their grandkids! We had a FULL house that night but it was so much fun! It made me feel like I was at home as we always have a full house! I loved waking up and a bunch of people were here. Also it was hilarious because one of the kids doesn’t speak English so I suddenly go from learning Zulu phrases to German ones! Even Zulu doesn’t help with the local people as they speek Kosa. (And yes, that name starts with a click! So “*click*osa”) Oddly enough three students on this trip have lived in Germany and know it pretty well, so they helped out.
Thursday (yesterday) Katie and I got ready and went to school and that’s when I blogged last. We spent our day on the coach driving around the city we’re in… to be honest I don’t even know the name. It’s about 45 minutes outside of Downtown Cape Town. We went to a few organizations and saw the biggest township in South Africa, holding over a million people. It was shacks as far as the eye could see. I’ve never seen so many houses on top of each other! And I’m going to be honest here: this part of the trip was a big dud. If this had been one of the first things we did while in SA it would have been so cool, but most of us worked in townships every day and got to know people well… so none of the things we’ve done so far in Cape Town have really fit our expectations since the program is still the same as when people came here for their first 3 weeks in SA. But it’s not all bad…we’ve just had some frustrating times.
Two girls who I’m close with, Laura Jane and Megan Goeman, live across the street from Katie and myself, so when we got done a little early yesterday, their house mom Gloria came and picked us up and we had tea over there. (FYI in all of SA tea is at 10am and 4pm! Love it!). They live with both Glora and Stella, two sisters who have lived in the same house their whole life together. Never married and now are in retirement. One works inside, cooking and cleaning and the other outside! So cute!
Then Katie and myself came back to my house for dinner. Can I just say it’s been SO nice to have home cooked meals that haven’t been made for the masses! We had fresh fish, potatoes, salad and beans. And the salad had REAL romaine lettuce! : ) So I was a little skeptical about eating fish since last time I did I spent the night throwing up. But I figured, “Oh my body’s so sensitive to food… I’m sure it was just something else or my ulcers…” AND we had been told it’s extremely inappropriate not to eat what your host family gives you. Well, I think it’s a little more rude to throw it all up that night. Yes folks, last night I spent my night puking. Katie and I went over to Chad, Micah and Grant’s house to hang out and play games and watch movies and there I spent about an hour puking. They were all so sweet and really felt bad for me. Poor Grant came in to check on me and right as he walked in I started throwing up again. Haha… it was a pathetic sight. But in some ways I actually feel like a pro in this area. Pulled my hair all back. Took my earrings off. Got a glass of water and went to town. We were going to be picked up soon anyways so we didn’t have to call for Edward to pick us up again. He was very sweet and drove home at record pace. I kinda fell asleep but about an hour into it I was definitely throwing up again. Luckily that was the last of it. And I don’t think I popped any blood vessles in my face this time! YEY!
So the moral of that story is 1) I’m allergic to fish 2) my host family would much rather me say, “I’m so sorry, I can’t eat this” then have me spent the night that way! Sonja was the sweetest thing when I got home and got me everything I could need from hot water to a bucket. I love those two! 3) every time I throw up I am thinking “I can never be pregnant! How do people live like this for three months!?! I can’t have kids! How do people have KIDS?? Poor Mom! I can adopt. Yes, I can adopt kids. I can’t have more than two. I can’t do this more than two times!” Hahaha… so I’m either praying for boys (less morning sickness typically) or to have the miracle body that doesn’t get sick! And as you may guess, that’s not gunna happen!
So that’s where this blog leaves me at. I’m hanging out in my room… it’s about 4:30am on Friday, April 17th and I definitely can’t sleep anymore. I keep waking up being SO hungry so next to me is a bag of pretzels and some bananas, which I bought yesterday, praise the LORD!
Sorry if the blog has been too graphic lately for some of you. As you can tell I don’t mind letting people know what’s going on… but this isn’t the usual setting to share such details. Since being here I have had very, very, very limited access to email. So many times I can check my email but not have time to respond. (So FYI you can send, it just may take me a while to send back... if I can at all!) So for those of you who actually want details this is the place you’re going to get them, as I probably won’t be sending out individual emails. What I’m doing right now and what I’ll try to do is write out my emails on word documents then send them when I have internet. And things will get better when I get in a routine.
Today I’m feeling SO much better! Feeling the aftermath (soreness, tiredness) of having been sick but don’t feel sick anymore. We have class this morning from 8:30-about10:30 and then afterwards I think almost all of the group is taking the train into Cape Town which I’ll be skipping out on, considering. And if you know me well you know I HATE having to miss out on things!! But that just wouldn’t be the smartest decision. Luckily Sonja and Edward are more than accommodating. : ) So today I’ll hopefully sleep some and write out some more of these Word document emails and do a few papers I have.
Being here has made me really miss home and get ready to go home. We drove by the airport and I wanted to yell “Pull over! Send me back!!!!!” It’s hard because this part of the trip feels like a bonus or vacation… this it seems extra and not necessary! But it is really a beneficial time because the group is now pretty separated in home stays so we’re transitioning to not being together in our little commune 24-7! Which is actually really, really hard. And we’re getting used to being around new people who have no idea what our experience this trip is like so we’re having to do a lot of describing which is good practice for the next months… years... at home! Not to mention we’re close to a big, beautiful and exciting city. : )
Well, I think my body is calling for some more sleep! And maybe the rest of my banana! I really don’t want anyone to worry about my health here or be super concerned. I hope the doctor’s results come out helpful, but if not I will be home in less than three weeks and definitely am going to have mom make an appointment ASAP for me!
(Hey mom, can you make an appointment with Dr. Bisharat for me?? Sometime after the 13th for an appointment in the AM. You can say it’s for a check up and I want to be tested for food allergies, IBS, and am having health “issues” and need to consult about them! Sorry Jeremy… you may have to sit in an old people waiting room for a little bit!)
With my love from somewhere in South Africa : ) Sleepin’ on my wonderful queen size bed! : )
Paige
__________
Friday, 2:14PM update
Feeling SO much better today! Slept after I blogged. Took a shower. Went to class late. A lot of people went into Cape Town and I decided to hang back and luckily Katie did so we went to lunch at a restaurant connected to Cornerstone and then are back here doing "homework" :) I'm uploading my pictures on Facebook for you all to see what I've been up to! Probably won't be putting them on the blog so you'll have to check out Facebook to see them.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Cape Town update!
Hello!
Sorry this is going to have to be short and sweet as I am in the college's computer lab and about to leave to go see a township (slum) here in Cape Town!
As for my health:
Yesterday I went to a really nice clinic with our leader Kelli and explained everything to the doctor. She took a stool sample to Pathology and said that if they find blood it will take us down one road and if not then it will take us down another road. So I'll know by this weekend if I have an infection or what from that sample. I think it may be stomach ulcers. I have no idea why I think that but with the pattern of when I've gotten them and how they feel I could definitely see that as a possibility!!
Crud, I have to go.
With love from South Africa,
Paige
Sorry this is going to have to be short and sweet as I am in the college's computer lab and about to leave to go see a township (slum) here in Cape Town!
As for my health:
Yesterday I went to a really nice clinic with our leader Kelli and explained everything to the doctor. She took a stool sample to Pathology and said that if they find blood it will take us down one road and if not then it will take us down another road. So I'll know by this weekend if I have an infection or what from that sample. I think it may be stomach ulcers. I have no idea why I think that but with the pattern of when I've gotten them and how they feel I could definitely see that as a possibility!!
Crud, I have to go.
With love from South Africa,
Paige
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Cape Town!!!!!
Hello Family and Friends!!!
As you can see by the title, I've made it to Cape Town! Now this is such a surreal feeling as Cape Town was always in our minds as our "last stop" before we went home! I can't believe it's already here. Since my last post on Friday it feels like weeks have gone by. I feel like I haven't talked to Mom or Dad or Jeremy in so long! I shot out a few texts to let them know I'm alive and well.
Since so much has happened in these last few days of road tripping it I am going to bullet point the highlights :) It's been so much fun!
Some prayer requests before I start:
I have been having some health "issues" since I've been here. As you have read before I have gotten very sick on two different occasions as without being too descriptive I have had odd bowel movements which the nurses here are saying is blood in my stool. So tomorrow I'm going to the doctor. Because the stool is black (I know, sorry if that's TMI) they say that the blood has dried and so the "problem" if there is any is coming from the upper intestines/stomach, if there is a problem. Tonight I randomly got very, very sick again. No throwing up this time but I was having awful stomach pains and felt like I was getting the same old sickness. I, very emotionally, told my leader Kelli that in fact the Dr's appointment I had mentioned to her earlier should happen tomorrow and she prayed with me and figured that out. So I am very grateful to be able to go to the doctor, but it stinks to miss out on the fun of touring Cape Town! So let's all pray that this gets figured out quickly! Oh, and the best part, about an hour after Kelli prayed with me I was typing out in my journal I keep on my computer a prayer for healing and at the end of it honestly felt SO much better... like all pain was gone. Praise the Lord! Let's all keep praying, please!
Saturday
We headed off into the coach promptly at 8:30am and drove until about 6pm to East London. The place we got there was BEAUTIFUL! Literally right on the ocean. Now that I think of it I didn't even get a picture! Shame. Anyways, we unpacked into our rooms and, let me tell you, these hotel rooms can be VERY different than the rooms in America! We had a full size bed and a twin on opposite sides of the room. A TV facing the full. Our shower was infact a bath tub with a three foot long hose so you had to sit to shower, etc. etc. My roommate Megan Hernandez (Or MegDez as we call her) and I laughed SO HARD!!! Showering was so awkward. But this place was very nice and we were so spoiled to be able to walk out to the beach! A bunch of us hung out that night on the grass by the water and looked at the stars which are SO much more evident here! We saw the Southern Cross and O'Ryan's belt (spelling?) but since we have a different view of the galaxies we see different constellations sometimes! Like, I didn't see the big dipper. Crazy!
Sunday
Woke up early and smiled ear to ear because today is Jeremy and my 6 months!!! :) :) :) Haha and this make it sounds so anti-climactic but it was ALSO the day that Jesus rose from the dead!!! (Which, believe it or not, is actually more important!) But in bed I got to finally open a package that I got from him last week for our 6 months! It was SO sweet! There were balloons to blow up and cards to read and things that made me laugh and things that made me tear up... All to say... I REALLY MISS HIM!!!!
So I got ready, went to a Baptist church with the group which was hilarious in itself because having 37 people walk into a SMALL church and take up over half of it.. oh and we're foreign.. haha we were a site. But it was great to be there and people were very welcome. AND I got to wear a new skirt which I now love! After church we headed to a different beach than the one we stayed at for lunch. It was WINDY!!! And I was the first one off the bus and my beautiful new skirt flew right to my chest with the gust of wind. Ha! All of us girls were dressed up so we spent the day holding our clothes down. I got some super cute pictures by the water which I will post later. :)
After lunch and pictures we got back on the bus and went to our beach and laid out/swam for a few hours until we headed back for dinner in the hotel. Since hospitality is so prized here we have met some of the most gracious and thoughtful people! That night a bunch of us went on the sandy part of the beach and hung out. It felt like our last night together which was really odd!
Monday
This was quite an exciting day! We were up early and packed into the bus by 6:30am. One car had gone ahead with 7 people who were going to be the first to bungee jump. I opted not to jump as it pretty much sounded either terrifying or totally not enjoyable, but 23/33 of us went! Impressive! So we drove four hours to the home of the world's tallest bungee jump! Yes, that's right, 23 of my friends jumped 800 feet. It was a BEAUTIFUL as the bridge was over a canyon with a river in the bottom that fed into the ocean, which we could see. The people that didn't jump got to eat some lunch and take pictures & watch the others. Mostly everyone LOVED it! Some wanted to do it again right away!! So that was so fun to watch and be excited for :)
After that we all got back into the bus and headed another big chunk of time to George where we stayed the night. And can I just say, we have SUCH a fun group! Even just watching Madagascar 2 or talking... I love our group! So I had a great time driving with everyone. The place we stayed last night was AMAZING! It was a "backpackers lodge" which I thought meant ghetto but it was BEAUTIFUL! Thought of Susan Turner (for those of you who know her... she would have loved it!) It was surrounded by mountains with zebra and geese and spring buck around. It was white buildings in contrast to the green hills. Roses and plants everywhere! So beautiful! And the food was equally as good! Probably some of my favorite meals since I've been in SA. I was super tired so after my roommate, Megan Biasotti, and I talked for a bit I headed to bed. Oh, and this shower I gave an A+! Much improved!
Tuesday (today)
Once again we ate and packed up early! We headed about 20 minutes to the Congo Caves for our Adventure Tour. I didn't listen to any history of the caves like a good girl, but they're OLD and they're BEAUTIFUL! :) And let me tell you, this adventure tour was no joke, an adventure tour. You could not have a bad back or not be able to climb! But I had BLAST! I was one of the few who brought their head lamp in (Thank you Aaron's for letting me bring it!!!) and it was put to good use! It was SO DARK in some spots! We had such a fun time. My friend Ashleigh fell in water accidentally and I don't know if I've laughed harder. Oh it was hilarious! That took a few hours and I got tons of pictures! Facebook will be updated "soon". (Basically I have no idea when, hopefully soon!).
Then we went about 40 minutes to an ostrich farm which, not going to lie, was in no way the highlight of this trip. I did get to sit on an ostrich and got a cute picture but the poor thing wasn't loving the experience as much as I was! Ha... it was kinda an awkward day with a tour guide who had awkward jokes. But not regrettable... just wouldn't do it again!
Then we started the very, very long journey to Cape Town! Mind you we were in a bus so everything took a lot longer then anyone had expected! We got in here at I think 8:30pm. But I had a fun ride. We watched 10 Things I Hate About You, played Mafia, played BS, talked for a few hours about nutrition and I am petrified to use teflon pans as I have just been informed "slowly kill you" ,etc. etc. After that convo I was ready to be a vegetarian, completely organic, grow my own crops, let my soil rest after 6 years, not use a microwave, filter my water with a GOOD flilter, swim in a pool without chlorine, buy shampoo from Trader Joes, not take hot showers, use a certain type of toothpaste, do a colon cleansing... I mean I thought I was healthy before but they just all freaked me out! But with legit information as well. So poor Jeremy will get hit hard with the effects of my new "lifestyle" ;) Ok, I'm definitely not changing THAT much but will make some changes!
And here I am, sitting in my hotel room, arrived in Cape Town, showered from my filth from those caves, wondering if this blog will even post! Wish I could add pictures and make it all cute but I really need some sleep.
I don't know when I'll get internet next but I'm sure it will be before the weekend. :) Don't really know the schedule here very well... it's all pretty vague to me. MISS YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Off to dream land!
With love from Cape Town, South Africa,
Paige
As you can see by the title, I've made it to Cape Town! Now this is such a surreal feeling as Cape Town was always in our minds as our "last stop" before we went home! I can't believe it's already here. Since my last post on Friday it feels like weeks have gone by. I feel like I haven't talked to Mom or Dad or Jeremy in so long! I shot out a few texts to let them know I'm alive and well.
Since so much has happened in these last few days of road tripping it I am going to bullet point the highlights :) It's been so much fun!
Some prayer requests before I start:
I have been having some health "issues" since I've been here. As you have read before I have gotten very sick on two different occasions as without being too descriptive I have had odd bowel movements which the nurses here are saying is blood in my stool. So tomorrow I'm going to the doctor. Because the stool is black (I know, sorry if that's TMI) they say that the blood has dried and so the "problem" if there is any is coming from the upper intestines/stomach, if there is a problem. Tonight I randomly got very, very sick again. No throwing up this time but I was having awful stomach pains and felt like I was getting the same old sickness. I, very emotionally, told my leader Kelli that in fact the Dr's appointment I had mentioned to her earlier should happen tomorrow and she prayed with me and figured that out. So I am very grateful to be able to go to the doctor, but it stinks to miss out on the fun of touring Cape Town! So let's all pray that this gets figured out quickly! Oh, and the best part, about an hour after Kelli prayed with me I was typing out in my journal I keep on my computer a prayer for healing and at the end of it honestly felt SO much better... like all pain was gone. Praise the Lord! Let's all keep praying, please!
Saturday
We headed off into the coach promptly at 8:30am and drove until about 6pm to East London. The place we got there was BEAUTIFUL! Literally right on the ocean. Now that I think of it I didn't even get a picture! Shame. Anyways, we unpacked into our rooms and, let me tell you, these hotel rooms can be VERY different than the rooms in America! We had a full size bed and a twin on opposite sides of the room. A TV facing the full. Our shower was infact a bath tub with a three foot long hose so you had to sit to shower, etc. etc. My roommate Megan Hernandez (Or MegDez as we call her) and I laughed SO HARD!!! Showering was so awkward. But this place was very nice and we were so spoiled to be able to walk out to the beach! A bunch of us hung out that night on the grass by the water and looked at the stars which are SO much more evident here! We saw the Southern Cross and O'Ryan's belt (spelling?) but since we have a different view of the galaxies we see different constellations sometimes! Like, I didn't see the big dipper. Crazy!
Sunday
Woke up early and smiled ear to ear because today is Jeremy and my 6 months!!! :) :) :) Haha and this make it sounds so anti-climactic but it was ALSO the day that Jesus rose from the dead!!! (Which, believe it or not, is actually more important!) But in bed I got to finally open a package that I got from him last week for our 6 months! It was SO sweet! There were balloons to blow up and cards to read and things that made me laugh and things that made me tear up... All to say... I REALLY MISS HIM!!!!
So I got ready, went to a Baptist church with the group which was hilarious in itself because having 37 people walk into a SMALL church and take up over half of it.. oh and we're foreign.. haha we were a site. But it was great to be there and people were very welcome. AND I got to wear a new skirt which I now love! After church we headed to a different beach than the one we stayed at for lunch. It was WINDY!!! And I was the first one off the bus and my beautiful new skirt flew right to my chest with the gust of wind. Ha! All of us girls were dressed up so we spent the day holding our clothes down. I got some super cute pictures by the water which I will post later. :)
After lunch and pictures we got back on the bus and went to our beach and laid out/swam for a few hours until we headed back for dinner in the hotel. Since hospitality is so prized here we have met some of the most gracious and thoughtful people! That night a bunch of us went on the sandy part of the beach and hung out. It felt like our last night together which was really odd!
Monday
This was quite an exciting day! We were up early and packed into the bus by 6:30am. One car had gone ahead with 7 people who were going to be the first to bungee jump. I opted not to jump as it pretty much sounded either terrifying or totally not enjoyable, but 23/33 of us went! Impressive! So we drove four hours to the home of the world's tallest bungee jump! Yes, that's right, 23 of my friends jumped 800 feet. It was a BEAUTIFUL as the bridge was over a canyon with a river in the bottom that fed into the ocean, which we could see. The people that didn't jump got to eat some lunch and take pictures & watch the others. Mostly everyone LOVED it! Some wanted to do it again right away!! So that was so fun to watch and be excited for :)
After that we all got back into the bus and headed another big chunk of time to George where we stayed the night. And can I just say, we have SUCH a fun group! Even just watching Madagascar 2 or talking... I love our group! So I had a great time driving with everyone. The place we stayed last night was AMAZING! It was a "backpackers lodge" which I thought meant ghetto but it was BEAUTIFUL! Thought of Susan Turner (for those of you who know her... she would have loved it!) It was surrounded by mountains with zebra and geese and spring buck around. It was white buildings in contrast to the green hills. Roses and plants everywhere! So beautiful! And the food was equally as good! Probably some of my favorite meals since I've been in SA. I was super tired so after my roommate, Megan Biasotti, and I talked for a bit I headed to bed. Oh, and this shower I gave an A+! Much improved!
Tuesday (today)
Once again we ate and packed up early! We headed about 20 minutes to the Congo Caves for our Adventure Tour. I didn't listen to any history of the caves like a good girl, but they're OLD and they're BEAUTIFUL! :) And let me tell you, this adventure tour was no joke, an adventure tour. You could not have a bad back or not be able to climb! But I had BLAST! I was one of the few who brought their head lamp in (Thank you Aaron's for letting me bring it!!!) and it was put to good use! It was SO DARK in some spots! We had such a fun time. My friend Ashleigh fell in water accidentally and I don't know if I've laughed harder. Oh it was hilarious! That took a few hours and I got tons of pictures! Facebook will be updated "soon". (Basically I have no idea when, hopefully soon!).
Then we went about 40 minutes to an ostrich farm which, not going to lie, was in no way the highlight of this trip. I did get to sit on an ostrich and got a cute picture but the poor thing wasn't loving the experience as much as I was! Ha... it was kinda an awkward day with a tour guide who had awkward jokes. But not regrettable... just wouldn't do it again!
Then we started the very, very long journey to Cape Town! Mind you we were in a bus so everything took a lot longer then anyone had expected! We got in here at I think 8:30pm. But I had a fun ride. We watched 10 Things I Hate About You, played Mafia, played BS, talked for a few hours about nutrition and I am petrified to use teflon pans as I have just been informed "slowly kill you" ,etc. etc. After that convo I was ready to be a vegetarian, completely organic, grow my own crops, let my soil rest after 6 years, not use a microwave, filter my water with a GOOD flilter, swim in a pool without chlorine, buy shampoo from Trader Joes, not take hot showers, use a certain type of toothpaste, do a colon cleansing... I mean I thought I was healthy before but they just all freaked me out! But with legit information as well. So poor Jeremy will get hit hard with the effects of my new "lifestyle" ;) Ok, I'm definitely not changing THAT much but will make some changes!
And here I am, sitting in my hotel room, arrived in Cape Town, showered from my filth from those caves, wondering if this blog will even post! Wish I could add pictures and make it all cute but I really need some sleep.
I don't know when I'll get internet next but I'm sure it will be before the weekend. :) Don't really know the schedule here very well... it's all pretty vague to me. MISS YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Off to dream land!
With love from Cape Town, South Africa,
Paige
