Orientation Week!

January 28, 2009-Friday!

My week so far… We’ve had orientation at NMMU this week so it’s sinking in that I’m actually going to have class while I’m here but I’m very excited about it.  The University is way bigger than what I’m accustomed to as it has 20,000 students!  To be honest the campus itself isn’t really anything special but I like it.  Being there is when I really feel like a minority or international student because people are busy and on their way and in a hurry, it’s not that they aren’t friendly but there isn’t really much communication unless you make the first attempt to say hello.  It’s good for us to experience this because we know we are all guilty of the same thing at home.  We’ve had a campus tour and our first community service learning class which I loved and learned a ton in.  I didn’t realize how affected this country is by HIV and AIDs, sometime soon I will post the notes I took in class about all the poverty and child headed households.  My favorite thing our professor said was that the townships, while so poor, also possess a strength that none of us have many of them have learned so much because they put together sometimes two story shacks out of what they have and have become so strong.

Then Wednesday we had a tour all day long with Bradley.  It was so wonderful to see more of PE, it is an incredible city.  It was good to learn about it’s history some more and then we saw the real side of PE and so many townships.  We spent a majority of our time in a township called red location.  There we went to a museum right in the center of it and learned about the langa massacre.  I had no idea all that the people here have gone through so, so much persecution.  Our tour guide who looked white to me (minus how tan he was) was considered “black” during the apartied because there were 3 criteria that made someone categorized as black 1. Skin color, 2. Hair test (how smoothly a comb ran through their head) 3. And the width of a person’s nose.  It’s crazy how categorized people in this country still are, and being here I am also categorized, as a white American.

My favorite part of the tour was the time we spent at a woman’s home in a township.  She makes ceramics and sells them.  The outside of her shack looked so sad and worn down but the inside was gorgeous.  Wooden floors and beautifully painted walls, it was incredible!  While we were there I met a little neighbor boy and learned how to play with him and make him smile.  I gave him a pad of paper and a clicky pen I had brought along to take notes with and he loved it.  We were having a blast together and I figured out how to make him giggle like crazy by tickling his little tummy.  It was sad to leave him though because then we watched as he continued to wander around alone and bare foot amongst so much glass and garbage everywhere.  He couldn’t have been older than 3.

Now Thursday and Friday we have visited our volunteer sites.  This was an incredible experience for me.  I’m almost at a loss of words about it.  First we were at Pendla, an elementary school in New Brighton township.  We got the warmest welcome here.  We went to each classroom where they sang for us and wanted high fives and hugs!  I got some good videos of the kids singing, all of their songs are about Christ which is really inspiring.  After leaving Pendla I was torn and thought I wanted to spend my time volunteering there.  However, on Friday when we got to the House of Resurrection I immediately felt a pull to go there.  I don’t have many words for that because I’m still trying to comprehend the reality of the children there’s situation, they have no parents are AIDS.  You hear about situations like that all the time but to see it in real life was a lot.  Hopefully I will be placed there to volunteer but I know wherever I end up, I will be happy and have an incredible experience. 

And on a final note when outside of our scheduled things we have had fun too.  We are learning to cook in our Flat.  Our flat #11 also known as “the jungle” hosted a group pot luck last night that was a blast.  We dished up food here than ate on the roof overlooking the moon shinning down brilliantly over the ocean.  We have also spent lots of time walking around and exploring.  We walk to school (2miles) which takes time but is great.  In the mornings we push ourselves to get up at  7 to do yoga and then run together, this is so relaxing and a good time for reflection.  We have also gone out a time or two which is fun.  It’s really neat to meet some of the locals because they are so anxious to tell us about their lives and learn about ours, we’ve had lots of good conversation with them.  Everyone makes fun of how us “Americans” dance because we use our hands so much evidentially but it doesn’t seem to stop us J  It’s also interesting to see how much segregation still exists from one place to another.  I’m still having a wonderful time and am glad to be getting settled in and am anxious for school to start believe it or not.  All of my love and missing all of you who read this <3.

Bush Camp- MMNU International student orientation

January 21-24

My last few days have been an adventure to say the least!  Friday we went to a bush camp about an hour and a half away.  We took a small crowded bus to get there and traveled along some extremely bumpy roads.  On our way out of town I saw a different side of the city, the townships.  The bus grew silent as we saw the little tiny homes people were living in and there was garbage scattered everywhere.  Then we stopped at a crocodile and lion place in Addo.  Here I saw my first African Lion and actually held a baby lion cub, I loved it so much!  We had a blast, except for the fact that leaving the coast meant temperatures above 110degrees! AH!  Before hiking to the camp site in the bush we saw kids getting home from school.  I fell in love, they were beautiful and so eager to see us.  The next day we saw them again, their clothes were all tattered but once again they were so happy to have our attention.  I tried communicating with them but they only spoke Africans and found it fun to imitate all I said and did!  Then they sang for us, in English!  They sang the song that goes something like “he’s got the whole world in his hands, he’s got you and me in his hands”… I almost got tears in my eyes mixed with such joy because they were as happy as could be despite their clear state of poverty!

Then we finally arrived at the bush camp, and the name says it all, it was legitimately a camp in the bush of Africa.  Upon arrival we were all thirsty and hungry and thought we would eat soon, but considering we are in Africa saying we are eating just now means anywhere between actually right then and 5 hours or never.  Don’t worry we did eat eventually!  During the day our group laid low I rock climbed and just talked with a lot of kids from my group along with other international students there are lots of people from the States but also people from Germany, Finland, Holland, Switzerland, and Sweden, and others I can’t think of!

That night we learned about South African culture.  I learned some Africans because while most people speak English it is still super hard to understand because.  Africans is a mix of English and something else, but I’m slowly picking up words.  I learned a lot about the country and was surprised to find that the population is 90% black so it’s interesting to be the minority and a good experience for me.  Also the average salary is 62 American dollars a month, hard to comprehend.  That night our dinner was lekker (good).  I had Kudu African meat along with some other African foods that I’m still learning to say!! It’s so difficult for me to understand!

The next morning we were woken by a whistle and a leader yelling around the campsite “rise and shine up and go with a red smile!”  It was so funny except for the fact that it was 6:15am and I had spent my first night sleeping in a tent outside in such hot temperatures!  The next day was full of challenge course activities.  My group was actually with all kids from my school but I had a blast!  We all took it seriously and tried hard which meant jumping in mud pits and getting dirty!  Then the best part of the weekend….

A wild beast feast.  Our teams had to come up with our own native language, dance, and outfits from our surroundings.  Our group went all out and just had a blast.  Then we had to perform in front of everyone around the bon fire as a brie was being done over the fire.  Our dinner had a lot of African foods and the best part was we had to use our hands!! Fr. John had said in Sudan he ate with his hands and well he was not kidding.  I had rice, salad, and meat on the bone and took bites with my dirty bare hands!  As you can imagine my comfort level has already been pushed to the maximum and I LOVE it!!

Now I’m back home looking at the ocean relaxing as I was up at 1am until 4am this morning to watch the vikes game at a local bar that opened up just for us and we streamed the game in via the internet.  It was a blast I went to bed at 7pm Sunday night and got up for the game and then got a few more hours of sleep before orientation began this morning!  I finally got to see NMMU.  It’s beautiful!  I’m excited to get a tour tomorrow.  Tonight I will hear about scuba diving lessons from an instructor then we are having people to our Flat.  The rest of the week consists of tours and orientation and getting to go to both of our volunteer sites!  I can’t wait.  And then my friend Katie and I working on organizing a pot luck for the group Friday night so I have a great week ahead!  I also have to admit Katie just took me to buy a bottle of wine, it’s the first time I’ve purchased something like that and I felt so grown up, and the best part is it’s a blush wine made in Africa so it’s PINK!

I miss everyone at home but am so blessed to be doing so well.  I have never felt so strongly that I’m in the right place at the right time and living in the moment.  I can’t be on internet often at all because of the price so I’m fully absorbed in the people here with the exception of getting to talk to my family, and fortunately I’ve had the chance to do that quite a bit!  I wish I could go on and on because this doesn’t even begin to describe half of how amazing this all is and the culture here and the level of poverty.  More at the end of the week and pictures I’ll work on as it’s more expensive to upload pictures ahhh silly internet!  Thanks for the prayers and keeping track of me!

All my love,

Megan J

January 21, 2010—5:45pm

Wow.  Where to begin?  Beautiful, overwhelming, loud, surreal, hot, exciting, and again breathtakingly beautiful.

Getting here was quite the experience.  My parents met me in NY and thank goodness for that because I’m not sure how the 4 girls I traveled with and myself would have made our way to the hotel!  It was great to spend time with them.  I expected it to be harder but knowing they will soon be here with me made it easier.  We had a lot of fun and I was glad to have one last night where I could snuggle in bed with Mom as Dad tried to go to sleep! J

Then we had our 15 hour flight, I was dreading this but it was better than I expected.  I was able to overcome a big challenge upon sitting in the airport for a mere half hour.  I am so grateful to already feel myself growing! We got two meals!  Dinner was great and was chicken and mashed potatoes and some great chocolate mouse dessert that had a banana flavor!!  Oh and no pop only soft drinks in tiny little cans with names likes grapetizer and peartizer, how fun!? 

Once we finally arrived in PE we were met by our directors Sister MJ and Dottie along with Steve the guy who owns Langerry Flatts (where I live).  When I got out of the car I seriously needed someone to pinch me.  Words cannot describe how unreal this is.  As if that wasn’t enough walking into my room with the windows allowing a cool ocean breeze to come into the room and seeing a view of the ocean was almost more than I could handle.  I was overcome with joy and gratitude along with fear and homesickness because I wanted my family to be there with me right that moment to understand all that I am seeing.  I think it’s a good thing I couldn’t call my mom at that moment because I would have lost it!...  In a situation like this it’s really hard to know how I even feel!

Since arriving yesterday I’ve gotten to spend time on the beach, go to the boardwalk, eat some great meals, go to the grocery, run on the beach, go dancing, and just love life!  While things our fabulous adjusting to a new culture is tough, especially the whole money thing.  It’s 7R (rand) to 1 US dollar.  It sounds simple, but it’s not.  Not to mention the fact that the rand looks so beautiful it doesn’t seem possible that I’m actually using money!! (don’t worry too much dad!)  But thanks to my dad I’m able to keep close track of what I’ve spent and where and what I’ve eaten so I can remember all the great stuff I’ve done!  So as you can see I’m having the time of my life but still in shock, we keep asking one another when the shock will go away and I don’t think it will!  I’m in South Africa, I don’t think that thought will ever get old and I pray I stay grounded and don’t forget how blessed I am.  We try to remind eachother to be grateful, especially before meals and to think of all the people who live here just 15min beyond our Flats who don’t get to enjoy the beach and great meals as they are living in townships with next to nothing.  Going to see the townships next week will be a very humbling experience to us all.

Tonight is our first night here with everyone, and tomorrow we leave to go camping so lots of fun things to look forward too.  I think of all of you at home more than you know and despite having such a wonderful time I miss home so much!  I’ll post pictures soon!!!

ps... I don't take the time to proof read so ignore the errors and randomness! 

Family-Friends-Faith

The beginning of my adventure has begun.  My last night with my parents was Thursday as they had the chance to go to New York for Communicon and Liberation meetings.  It was difficult for them to be away my last weekend home but it gave me the chance to spend time with my brother and grammy, plus I will be reunited with them in New York for the night tomorrow before flying out to SA!

Even though I've had a few moments of crying like a toddler and only wanting my mom or dad... getting to spend my last weekend home with my brother was a huge blessing.  Saying goodbye to him tomorrow will be tough because I look up to him in so many ways and will miss calling him for advice or to talk whenever necessary.  I think he has the most confidence in me as I'm about to leave for the next 4 months and I couldn't be more grateful.  Looking at him reminds me that I can do anything I set my mind to because I've watched him suceed in so many more ways than he is even aware of.  Michael gave me a note to read before going to bed tonight, and I don't think he has ever made me feel prouder, more sure of myself, or more loved.  His biggest pieces of advice were to remember that I'm so, so loved and that the biggest gift I posess is the prescence of Christ in my life.  I couldn't ask for a better brother, friend, or role model. 

And Michael is right I am so loved and I'm so thankful for all the love my family and friends have given me.  Saying goodbye to my Grammy was another reminder that I am so very loved and will be no matter where in the world I am.  I know Grammy will be one person who will really miss me as she doesn't do the whole internet thing and I will miss her soo much in return.  However, I'm so thankful I will miss her so much because it is a good kind of missing one another we both decided.  My grammy is so amazing and saying good bye to her reminded me that I am so, so blessed to have so many people that I will miss because that does not have to be a bad thing at all.  So here on this night I have been waiting so long for my family, friends, and faith are my reminder that while this will be hard at times, it's exactly what I'm supposed to be doing.  Thank you to my family for filling me up with love so that I am full of it to give out when I'm in South Africa!  I miss everyone so much already!

One week and counting!

It’s officially a week until I leave for South Africa, it doesn't seem possible since just a year ago I decided to apply for this program when at the time this trip seemed too perfect for me and too good to be true, it's incredible how things work out! 

I woke up this morning for the first time with that real uneasy feeling in my stomach realizing it was my last Sunday morning in Rochester with my parents and my last time going to church here at home.  Thankfully, I’m not nervous because I’m unsure about going, but because I LOVE my family and friends so much that I’m not looking forward to the goodbyes.  My best friend and I debated on whether or not to even see each other before she departed back to school because the goodbyes are no fun! So if it just so happens that I haven’t had the chance to say goodbye to you… don’t take it personally I almost dodged saying good bye to my very best friend Katlyn!

Now about the packing process!  It is a little crazy, but in actuality not as bad as I anticipated it being.  As if taking up two bedrooms for myself at home wasn’t enough I now I have also taken over my brother’s room so I have enough space to pack!  As my pictures show there is stuff everywhere but surprisingly I think I’m doing well and not over packing (simply because I know I will want to shop when I’m there and need space to bring things home J).  I think both my parents are anxious for this part to be over because there are constantly clothes everywhere as I run around the house asking them which jeans or shorts they like better…usually I come to the conclusion that it’s silly to chose, and I’m better off to just bring both options!

Now that I’ve gotten most of the essentials out and ready to pack I’m working to figure out what things I will need to make me feel comfortable and homey while I’m so, so far away from home.  My blanket is an obvious must, along with a tiny very soft stuffed animal from my mom, a few pictures, and a soft pillowcase!  Finally, something I’m grateful to have to take with me is a letter from one of my best friends from school.  Nicole just returned from studying abroad in Australia and after a dinner party with her and my other good friends from school she gave those of us going abroad each a letter.  She gave me advice that she was given before leaving for her trip first semester and it’s what I’ll end on so I can go to bed thinking of these things myself and the wonderful journey I have ahead of me…

Be brave.

Be safe.

Fall in love.

Keep a journal.

Don’t be afraid to try.

Don’t be afraid to fail.

Bloom where you are planted.

Spread your sunshine.

Always learn from every circumstance.

Remember that life is a journey.  God leads you down your path.