Home Sweet Home

Here I am almost two weeks after arriving in the States after 37 hours of travel!

I've wanted to write something for awhile but have been waiting until I knew just what to say but it still hasn't come to me.  My first night home was wonderful and I am so grateful to my family for that... they spoiled me and made me feel so special.  Michael even ran up to me at the airport and when we pulled into my house all the flowers planted were pink just for me and there was a pink welcome home sign on the door.  It gets better... entering our house there were a dozen beautiful pink roses and located all throughout the house my family planted little notes for me to find some of my favorites were: a post it on the window reminding me that it is the same sun out there, a notes from my brother on the fridge downstairs and on a bottle of beer reminding me that I am no longer legal, a post it on my mirror reminding me that I am so loved, and a note in a cupboard in the kitchen about cockroaches.  I felt so loved and know that I am.  The night continued with everyone sitting through my videos of jumping out of planes and riding elephants and showing off all my new artwork and clothes and a million other things.  We enjoyed some of my favorites like caprese, mashed potatoes, sopresetta, and good orange juice!  It was a perfect night and grammy even came over, I think everyone got a better kick out of watching her reaction to my bungy jump video than actually watching me on the screen! And the night even ended perfectly with Michael busting out his state tournament video to gain a little attention back :)

Note: I am even wearing a new twins tee-shirt from Ari and Michael that was laying out on my bed!

Other than my perfect first night home, it has been difficult to be back.  There are so many simple things I miss: the accents, trams, my 5 roomates, waking up to the ocean, running on the beach, everyone wearing bafanna bafanna gear, vuvuzelas, the use of izit, aswell, hectic, howzit, and bru, having dirty feet constantly, never being alone, not having a tv on, the music, walking everywhere, all the people I met, not having a cell phone, my little bed, hair that refused to stay straight, rand, kombi drivers yelling... and the list goes on and on but these are the things I experienced every single day that I really do miss.

On the other hand here is what I love about being home that I missed in South Africa: My mom and dad, Michael and Grammy, all of my friends, green grass, my deck, family dinners at my kitchen table, bagels and cream cheese, St. John's church, the RAC, my disgustingly overly pink room, Twins baseball, lakes, abc family, air conditioning, baths, my closet, random and frequent calls from my dad, my mazda, good running shoes and of course many other things are wonderful about home!

However despite all the things I have at home I continue to miss South Africa more than I imagined I would.  Most of all I miss the people in my group but I realize more and more each day that the friendships I gained and in South Africa have only just begun and are only going to get stronger.  The happiness it brings me to get a silly text reminding me of something from South Africa or seeing one of my roomates names pop up when I am receiving a call is indescribable.  I have never felt so loved or appreciated by my friends.  I hoped to gain a lot in South Africa but I did not anticipate gaining such wonderful friendships.  Having these friendships made me aware of my friends at home and how much I appreciate them aswell.  I think I was able to feel so much love from my friends in South Africa because I really began to love myself in a way that had been lacking in the past years.  Now now only do I love myself, I am so much more aware of the love I get from all of my friends and family, and most importantly through Christ!

I will undoubtedly continue to have days where I long for the Indian Ocean terribly and when I just want to call one of my roomates from "the jungle" and cry but I will also continue to have moments here like at the Twins new stadium and sitting on Lake Minnetonka when I say to myself, I love Minnesota and home so much.  I need my family and friends to remind me of my experiences and of my growth but not to allow myself to escape to those moments and I need to remember that the real happiness and zest for life I gained in South Africa is possible right here and anywhere for that matter.  Recognizing how I have grown, changed, and how this experience in South Africa has changed me is something that will be a process I will be trying to unravel for possibly the rest of my life.  The things I encountered over the past 4 months were truly incredible.

and finally before going abroad I was told that I had to fall in love along with a list of other things to do.. fall in love I thought?  Right... a girl's dream but really?  But I absolutely fell deeply in love abroad with so many different things in a way I hadn't really known before.  I fell in love with: a new country, the woman I am, the Catholic Church, my friends, running, Kuku, Cedi, Desi and all the other children at the House of Resurrection, the rosary, reading, history and literature, Christ, cooking, and living in the moment.  South Africa introduced me to so many things.  Some things I always knew I cared deeply about but being separated from everything familiar to me allowed me the opportunity to discover what I valued most and found most important!  I wouldn't change a single thing about this experience and I really believe that I will be back in South Africa someday.  I've never know what it meant to be as grateful as I am today either.  I'm so blessed and my entire family is and all of my friends not only do we have so much, but we have one another.  Clearly after all that I experienced in South Africa it is hard to be back and will continue to be challenging but I'm so happy to be home sweet home with my family who I have never loved more!

Thank you for supporting me and following me and loving me!  It has been so great to share some of my thoughts and experiences through this entire experience.  I love you all and can't wait to continue to share my stories and experiences because South Africa is never far from my mind....

Cheers to South Africa I'll see you again 'now now.'

Hope Does Not Disapoint- Romans 5:5

It's hard to believe my time here is almost done to a week.

Not only is it hard to believe, but it does not seem possible.  I remember so vividly writing my first entries prior to even departing for this adventure and now it is coming to an end.  As difficult as this is and the fact that it is so much harder than I ever imagined I am so thankful because everything I hoped would happen here has occured. 

So much more than I ever could have hoped for has happened to me during my time here.  I never envisioned I find so many deep relationships with the people in my group and that I have met, that I would be so adventourous and crazy, that I would find such compassion and passion from myself and those around me, that I would live in the moment so often, that I would experience so few difficulties and embrace the hard times in such a great way, that I would grow so much, that I would fall so much further in love with my Catholic faith, that I would find a deeper bound with my family, that I would apprecaite myself so much and gain a great confidence in who I am... and the list goes on!

Even in my most difficult times South Africa has never disapointed me...as much as I would like to believe and tell everyone that it is strictly this beautiful country that has fullfilled all my hopes I know it's something more.  I know I've learned the real meaning of the verse "hope does not disapoint" because the reason I know this now and trust in with my whole heart is because the hope I have comes from Christ and I know He will not and cannot disapoint me.  It's because of the great recognition of him in my life, myself, and others that I have not found been disapointed here.  I mean sure there may have been times when I've said something or other was disapointing but just petty things... I've always loved the word "hope" but now it holds an even greater meaning for me and allows me to be able to accept coming home because truthfully I'm really not ready to leave but know that I never would be.  I love it here, how could I not?

But I need to go home to my family I love tremendously and all of my friends and I need to share this experience because I know it will continue to grow me even once I'm home and that is so exciting for me to think about!

But while I'm still here I want to write one more tidbit about all I've encountered because I truly feel as though I've gotten a good glimpse of this beauitful and totally bizzare country....

Jumping off bridges and out of airplanes, experiencing a mugging first hand, holding a child fighting HIV, dancing with Afrikaners at a bar, singing in Xhosa, driving to lethoso and through Swaziland, Zulu dancing, teaching English and mathamatics, using Rand, driving on the opposite side of the road, ordering my first drink, eating ostrich and springbok, walking everywhere, taxing in kombis, learning traditional druming, riding a lion and seeing every wild African animal imaginable, going to a township bar, comforting a clinically depressed child, headaches from constant laughing, going caving, barganing at markets, praying the rosary, running a 10k, cheering at an ironman, laying out on the roof, running on the ocean, seeing live jazz, going to an Elton John concert, dancing in the rain, laying on the beach, vacationing with my parents, writing 4000 word essays, coordinating pot lucks, getting up for sunrise, traveling to township schools, riding in the back of bakkis, racing to the top of a mountain, seeing the way of the cross at Robben Island, traveling to the Southern most tip of Africa, learning about aparhtied, going to an Anglican Easter service, recognizing the importance of literature, swimming in the Indian Ocean, braiis by the fire, singing along to the guitar, mountaing biking through a game park, playing trash smash and learning to tackle, doing yoga barefoot on the roof, never straightening my hair, killing coackroaches in our flat, enjoying washed dishes and a made bed each day, late night McDonalds runs, new kinds of candy, making dinner for 900 people, presenting a donation to an AIDS Haven, making friends that will last a lifetime, learning to be grateful constantly, becoming the woman I'm meant to be, learning to love myself, apprecaiting my family more than ever, living for the love of something happening now, knowing that hope does not disapoint.

A look into Langerry Flatt 11

My incredible flatmates, Jed, Me, Emily, Ken and Lauren 

One of the many beautiful things we look out of our flat and see day to day 

29 April 2010


I just realized I always find myself writing about the big weekend trips I do and the big adventures I take... but the best parts of South Africa are often times the things that take place on a day to day basis so I want to be sure and share that while I'm still here because it truly is the small things that have helped me grow and fall in love with this country and all the people here.


The best part about my life here is that I'm able to totally live in the moment.  Not only do I recognize myself doing this but I have had so many good conversations with people on my trip who also have realized they are totally absorbed in the here and now.  I really wanted to live out the quote "live for the love of something now" and I'm able to do that here and pray I will be able to continue doing so when I return home.


But here is a look at a typical day for me here in Langerry Flat 11 aka the jungle.


After class yesterday, which was African Literature 4 other girls and I braved the 4mile run home from school that takes us right along the ocean.  We are constantly talking and laughing the whole way home and encouraging one another.  And on every run it never fails that at least 3 times we mention how beautiful it is around us, how the ocean has never been that blue or gray before, how the breeze is hitting us perfectly, and how we love our life and one another so much. 


Then last night after class we cooked a delicious dinner that my five flat mates and I enjoyed together after Emily prayed as it was her turn because we like to switch off and pray for all that we have to be thankful for and all the things we see in a day.  Then we dispersed throughout our little flat to try and do homework or have some alone time.  We work everywhere from the balcony, our beds, to the kitchen floor (Katie's favorite spot!).  Other members of the group stroll in and out and we are able to casually decide, to go out for a drink or two together since our time here is limited and the girls go out without makeup or a thought about what we're wearing because all the guys on this trip know us so well and continue to make us feel beautiful and independent just the way we are.  When we go out we have great talks together, play games, and always start a fun dance parties...last night we even introduced everyone to some line dancing.  People have really learned to be responsible and we all travel home together and usually make our way up to the roof to see the stars and reminisce about past memories and how great our lives are, often times this happens over some fries from McDonalds. The ocassional night out occurs but a lot of other nights entail just sitting around together laughing and blowing the horns we've gotten from sporting events, dancing to 90's music, imitating the funny SA lingo we here, and watching ridiculous movies on Mnet. 


Then today I woke up at 8am because it is impossible to sleep in past 8:30 here because when the sun comes up it is too beautiful to stay in bed.  I normally wake up without an alarm because waking up here is the most natural thing in the world.  This morning we all slowly did our own thing and checked e-mails and then the most incredible thing happened just before our eyes...  we looked out the windwo and could see of huge group of dolphins swimming by right in front of us!  Then we turned on some music and made banana pancakes.


And the most beautiful part of the morning is sitting at the kitchen table with one another... we were looking out at an overcast sky as the waves of the indian ocean came crashing in and dolphins swim by and together the girls and I decided the Hail Mary would be perfect to pray before eating at this meal.  It's moments like this, that I have fallen so in love with.  A group of amazing, beautiful, strong, faithful, passionate woman sitting together praying to Mary who has strengthened us all so much on this trip.  It seems so simple, but it's so powerful because as we finish praying we look at each other and all know how present God is in our lives and how incredibly blessed we are.  It may sound almost too simple and may not make sense why I haven't had more moments like this at home but maybe it took coming here for me to recognize moments like this and be fully present in them.  And looking back I'm so thankful that it is the small things that I love so dearly because I can have moments like these at home so easily I just have to allow myself to! 


And there is a look at the simple things that are so beautiful that occur daily in my home away from home... Langerry Holiday Flats located on the beautiful Beach Road!


All my love,
Megan Elizabeth 

A look back along with some new experiences!

Here are some older pics that my friend Jenny gave me along with some of my adventures from the past weekend! 

One of my favorite hostels and favorite weekends... J-Bay! 

Outside our Hostel in J-Bay!

Having the time of my life as you can see, I can't seem to wipe a smile off my face here thanks and a big reason for that is the amazing group of people I am here with! 

Swimming to a secret spot at Frontier Farms... another weekend I would call one of my favorites!

Riding in the Bakkie something I will only ever be able to do in SA

Checking out the view at the Valley of Desolation in Grafreinet

Walking home from taking our incredible cleaning lady (our mom away from home) to lunch.  Daphne got all dressed up for us and was thrilled to go out! 

Kids loving the camera on a field trip to Dudley Tito's to hear him preform at his studio in a township

Kuku is finally learning how to smile for a picture.  This little girl will forever have a piece of my heart, I wish I could bring her home with me more than anything she is so wonderful. 

Classic shot of my group and I waiting for class at NMMU... classes locked and constantly moving to other rooms

Karla and I before getting on Harry Potter to take a ride around 

Feeding Harry after he took me on a ride! 

View from the plane when I went sky diving... one of the most amazing experiences I've had here

Roberg where we went hiking after we got back to the ground!

My feet and Karla's down below me... It was so peaceful and spiritual and beautiful.  I would do this again in an instant!

Sandies in the sand, one of my favorite pictures... it sums up our trip to Plettenberg Bay quite well!

Skydiving poses with the amazing girls I traveled with this past weekend

A view of what our hike was like... not too shabby

And driving off home to PE as the sunsets behind us.  Perfection.

All my love,

Megan

I heart Cape Town

This is long overdue and is From my week long to trip the week before my spring break!  Here is a quick glance, I could go on and on about the beauty of the city and my experiences but for now here are the pictures!

Kynsna a stop on our way to CT

We went to a play here that was wonderful

Climbing to table mountain... turns out it is really steep and pretty tough

My favorite view of the entire trip thus far, you couldn't tell where the ocean ended and the sky began

Robben Island in the distance

Trying to take it all in

Lions head is off the the left and the tiny white circle after the next little mountain is the world cup stadium which was right by were we stayed on the waterfront

Green market square perfect for lots of shopping

the  table cloth coming in over table mountain

Mama Afrika where our entire group had an awesome meal and listened to live music!

Beach in Hout Bay very close to where my parents stayed in CT

Drive to Cape of Good Hope

Just an ostrich on the side of the road, no big deal

This is right near the Cape of Good Hope, the southern most tip of Africa

So I'm just a little ways away from home sweet home

Penguins everywhere!

Just hanging out one afternoon at the waterfront watching a protrait being done

The waterfront

Group shot after bungy jumping... just high on life, literally!

Our guide at Robben Island who was in prison at Robben Island for 5 years

Hallway of the lower security prison

Prison yard

This is the area Nelson Mandela had to Exercise, his garden and the manuscript of Long Walk to Freedom was in the right hand corner of this courtyard

Nelson Mandela's cell, where he spent 17 years of his life, another 10 were spent in other prisons

No words.

Hallway of the maximum security prison, many, many great people have walked down this hall who were part of the fight for freedom in South Africa. 

Wine tour at Spier, so fun!

I now know my wines :)

The Anglican Cathedral where we accidentally ended up for Easter Sunday mass, our directors had gone the night before with a group of students and none of them seemed to catch on that it was an Anglican church!  It was an experience and the church was incredible, there was even an orchestra!  However it was over 2 hours long.  Arch Bishop Desmound Tutu used to be the arch bishop of this particular church.

As you can see I got to see and experience a lot in Cape Town (and all the pictures I wanted to share didn't even upload!).  It was a blast but was also strange to be in a city to developed...at times I didn't feel as though I was in South Africa because where were the townships?  Where was the poverty that is so prominent here?  Also seeing Robben Island was a sombering experience.  We went on Good Friday which felt very fitting.  Nelson Mandela is a good example of what the way of the Cross is.  I missed St. Johns terribly but was reminded that the Tridum is not about the services I attend but about Christ and that he died for us and rose again.  It's easy to get lost in the beauty of the same masses and services so it was so wonderful to be reminded of the reality of what Christ sacraficed for us wow.  Clearly, I could go on and on but I'm down to a month so want to keep enjoying every second. 

I have my last long weekend coming up and will be going on a trip tomorrow which could possibly entail sky diving and an elephant safari a day at the spa and watching the Iron man from the comfort of my own balcony.  Life is good!

All my love,

Megan Elizabeth