Daily-ish Photo 2007

London, marking the end of the trip

2008-01-07T21:04:00.000-08:00

Train to London

2008-01-05T21:02:00.000-08:00

How to spend a snowy evening in Edinburgh

2008-01-03T23:07:00.000-08:00

Wander around and admire the views, while getting completely covered in falling snow.

When covered in snow and absolutely freezing, take refuge in the Starbucks on Princes Street, and continue to enjoy the views in warmth and comfort.

Play with sparklers on the Royal Mile on your way back to the train station.

To Edinburgh in the snow

2008-01-03T22:54:00.000-08:00

Wensleydale with cranberries is highly recommended, even for eating on the train.

Snowy landscape from the train

A snowy Edinburgh Castle

I took refuge from the snow by wandering through St. Giles:

Then it was back out into it--I stopped to take pictures while mustering up the fortitude to walk down to the National Museum, where I spent the afternoon.

New Year's Day

2008-01-01T21:30:00.000-08:00

The first morning of 2008: we walked around Abingdon with Elise's friends David & Safiya.

Elise and I ventured into Oxford for lunch at the Eagle & Child (the day before, we had been assured it would be open on the 1st until 6:00pm). Aaaaand, it was closed.

But, we enjoyed Zambian food for dinner, cooked for us by David!

Oxford

2007-12-31T20:49:00.000-08:00

I loved this sign outside a church

Colleges through iron bars

At the top of St. Mary's tower

Inside St. Mary's

Sunday at Gilgal

2007-12-30T20:42:00.000-08:00

After church (and goodbyes to many friends) at Gilgal Baptist Church, Elise and I had Sunday lunch with Jane and Del, good friends and hosts. =)

Seafront

2007-12-29T20:32:00.000-08:00

The day after the wedding, I slept so late that there were only about 2 hours of daylight left when I got up. Mmmm, sleeeeeep. Elise and I spent what little daylight there was wandering in the rain on the Porthcawl seafront and then taking refuge in Pietro's for some tea.

Jude's Wedding!!!

2007-12-28T23:27:00.000-08:00

Me and my Welsh little sister

Nigel giving his sweet speech about Jude and toasting the couple at the afternoon reception

Jude removing that uncomfortable wedding footwear

Wedding prep

2007-12-27T22:23:00.000-08:00

Setting up the hall for the reception: that's Jo's hand messing with the confetti.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T11:21:00.000-08:00

Emily wonders what might be inside...

Laguna

2007-12-22T17:26:00.000-08:00

Reunion with the Ah's! All of us:

Melinda, Hannah, Corina

A very different beach than the one I was walking on Wednesday:

Arturo

2007-12-21T17:13:00.000-08:00

Julie, me, Arturo.

Crissy Field, SF

2007-12-19T23:57:00.000-08:00

The Fourth Annual Barbara's Fish Trap Dangerous Crab Adventure

2007-12-18T23:19:00.000-08:00

Stolen directly from John's Facebook:

And, yet again, no one ordered crab.

Ah, Palo Alto.

2007-12-17T22:57:00.000-08:00

Old Haunts

2007-12-17T22:55:00.001-08:00

Driving North

2007-12-15T15:52:00.000-08:00

Through the Grapevine: snow in the shadows on the hills.

But where do they get the new ones?

2007-12-11T19:26:00.000-08:00

Carissa said I need to put up more pictures. The sad truth is that I haven't taken any since Thanksgiving weekend. So. Here's a look at one of my favorite signs in Pretoria North:

Blonde

2007-12-05T19:48:00.000-08:00

I haven't been taking many pictures in the past few weeks. But I came across this one of me when I was 2 1/2 and thought I'd share. See, I used to be a blonde...

Thankful

2007-11-22T22:41:00.000-08:00

Just two of the many people I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving...

My nephew Jesse and his aunt Dianna. (My sister-in-law, who's expecting her first baby in June. Something else I'm thankful for.)

Roommate reunion

2007-11-21T10:30:00.000-08:00

Yoori was my roommate in Whittier for several years before I moved to the Bay area. We got together to catch up over Thai food last night, only to find that our favorite Thai place is closed on Tuesdays. Bummer.

We had fun with PhotoBooth, though.

My baby nephew

2007-11-17T10:23:00.000-08:00

This is Jesse, hanging out at the ice rink for his oldest sister's birthday party.

Reunion

2007-11-14T13:54:00.000-08:00

Coffee in Costa Mesa with friends from South Africa. (Not quite as cool as eating Chinese food in Swaziland on the way to Mozambique from South Africa. But we never did get to do that.)

Let me get your cell phone number...

Melanie, me, Melanie, Katie

Reading

2007-11-13T11:05:00.000-08:00

I've been experiencing that small anxiety that other avid readers may relate to--the fear of running out of reading material. The bulk of my library is in boxes in my parents' garage. I brought a (very) small handful of books back with me from South Africa, specifically these two, which I am currently reading.

The rest of my books from South Africa are somewhere between here and there, and will ostensibly arrive in mid-December. If the South African and United States postal services do what they are supposed to do, anyway. In the meantime...I need books. Well, today I managed to forage in the garage for the box of books I'd thought I might take to South Africa but didn't. I knew those were more easily accessible. And now my reader's mind is more at ease, with this modest pile to choose from:

Wedding

2007-11-11T11:57:00.000-08:00

This is why I left South Africa a few days early...

Choir friends reunited for Hannah's wedding: Sarah, Melinda, Hannah, Corina, me. I like how we all have red-eye and our outfits are color-coordinated.

All of us minus the bride:

We didn't settle the question of whether it'll be Melinda or me who gets married next--we're the only ones left. But then, I left before the bouquet toss, so maybe I successfully handed that (duty, joy, privilege, responsibility) off to Mel.

Goodbye

2007-11-09T09:03:00.000-08:00

The five of us at the airport, saying goodbye to Sarah as she left for her trip to Rwanda. A few hours later, we returned to the airport to drop me off. And that was goodbye to South Africa for me. It's been a great year...

Farewell Dinner

2007-11-08T13:08:00.000-08:00

Here's the whole gang. I'm missing them...

I've been to the zoo...

2007-11-08T12:56:00.000-08:00

On Thursday afternoon, the five apprentices were sent on an outing to the zoo (to keep us away from Pangani and the secretive farewell dinner preparations). Sarah's parents & brother are visiting and they came along, too--making a perfect total of eight people for two golf carts.

Where did Sarah's family go? Sarah looks so forlorn.

The pelican that came very close to eating Carissa's arm:

I really don't know. Can they?

Tyler's sweet new bachelor pad

The baboon that, according to Sarah's mom, looks like Will Ferrell. I think I see the resemblance...

Happy Birthday, Daleen

2007-11-07T07:45:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Daleen's birthday at a local cafe called Deja Vu. (Have I been there before? Hmmm.) I stole these pictures from Carissa...

Small explanation of the below: the music for the afternoon consisted of an eclectic mix of classical, Christmas carols, hymns, and...The Star-Spangled Banner. The last of those we heard at least twice. Was it that obvious that all but three of us were American??

Hangout with Melissa

2007-11-06T12:50:00.000-08:00

Melissa was Sarah's and my staff coach/mentor this year. The three of us went out together for a goodbye hangout time...snif.

Baby shower

2007-11-06T12:37:00.000-08:00

We had a baby shower this afternoon for one of the girls who works for the EI business here at Pangani.

Jostinah and Muriel

Petunia, Lizzy, Carissa, Evelyn, Kevin, and Kele (the mom-to-be)

I won the diaper game...don't ask.

Dinner with Carissa

2007-11-05T10:26:00.000-08:00

Carissa made a goodbye dinner for all the apprentices (and Kevin, the honorary apprentice).

Thunderstorm

2007-11-04T11:47:00.000-08:00

Dogs get scared by thunderstorms, too.

I was sitting in our doorway tonight, with the door wide open, as this was the only way to pick up the wireless internet connection. It was just starting to rain, and the lightning and thunder were already well under way. Since the door was open, Jessie thought it was an invitation and pushed her way inside. While I tried to drag her out, Chippy decided to come on in as well. Carissa and I then had to get two scared, determined, wet dogs back outside. Sigh.

Year-End Celebration & Prayer on the Mountain

2007-11-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

This afternoon was our year-end celebration, which was held at Wonderboom Fort. We invited friends who've been part of our lives and ministries over the year and had a meal together at the top of the mountain. Afterwards, we spread out around the walls of the fort and spent time praying for the city.

Katie enjoys some watermelon

Bryan and Tyler and the guys from Sosh

Prayer on the walls, looking down over the city

Goodbye to Annah

Clouds and rain in the distance

Games

2007-11-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

Carissa's friend (and physical therapist) Martelize came to hang out and spend the night on Saturday. Here's us in the coffeehouse playing games...I love Carissa's ghosty hand in this one.

Katie's birthday, observed

2007-11-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

Katie's birthday falls near the end of November, after our time here is done. So, we planned a surprise birthday outing on Friday. We began with an afternoon of shopping with just the girls, then made our way to a chocolate shop where everyone else was waiting to surprise Katie.

Melissa takes our coffee orders:

The group enjoying coffee and chocolate:

Shoe shopping: Lizzy, Katie, and Daleen

Me and Katie

Hanging out at the fountain before going to see a movie:

Heart project

2007-11-02T04:46:00.000-07:00

I finished it!

Last visit to Granny's

2007-10-31T13:16:00.000-07:00

Sophia and me

Doug and Tseppo, thumb wrestling

Sarah and me with Winnie and Sophia

Nthabiseng, me, and Tshegofatso (I've finally figured out how to spell their names...)

Farewell party

2007-10-31T13:15:00.000-07:00

When we arrived at Granny's, the family had a surprise farewell party planned for Sarah and me.

We also celebrated Granny's birthday together...here's me and Sarah with Granny:

And here's one of the plates we were served, Emily telling us that if we didn't finish our plate, we'd have to stay here in South Africa.

The family looking at the photos and photo album we brought as a goodbye gift:

Goodbyes at Potter's House

2007-10-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

Tonight was my last visit to Potter's House. And it was an interesting night. Dinner, anyone?

Yes, those are chicken feet.

Painting

2007-10-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

We've been meaning to get this room painted all year. On Sunday, we finally got to work...

And we concluded the day with dinner out.

Long Day

2007-10-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

The five apprentices headed to Hartebeespoort today for some shopping for friends and family. And, Katie and Sarah got a little something extra...

Waiting for Katie:

Awkward

2007-10-26T14:47:00.000-07:00

A series of rather hilariously awkward pictures taken tonight during a game of 30 Seconds (sort of like Catchphrase). Or maybe they were only hilarious to Katie and me...

Write me a caption

2007-10-25T03:08:00.000-07:00

In progress

2007-10-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

These are the pieces of an art project I'm working on for the end of the year...it's called a "heArt Project." Oooo, clever.

Another Monday at Potter's House

2007-10-22T12:24:00.001-07:00

The kids always want to do my hair. Often several of them at once...

Glitter Boy

2007-10-21T04:37:00.000-07:00

Iain, in the aftermath of having poured glitter all over his head.

Sleepover

2007-10-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

Sarah and I invited some of the girls from Granny's to come spend the night at Pangani. Here's us making dinner...

Sarah stirs the pap

Sophia and Pretty defrosting the chicken

Winnie and me cooking the chicken

McDonald and his garden

2007-10-17T04:33:00.000-07:00

McDonald is a friend of ours in Soshanguve. He runs a car wash...with a garden. =)

Last braai of the year

2007-10-14T14:27:00.001-07:00

Although we have a few more weekends left, our last official Pangani braai was tonight. =(

Dishing up...

Mairin, wearing the headband she had me make for her...

And, finally, my gigantic steak. No, I didn't eat all of it. Yet.

Arthur's Birthday, Observed

2007-10-13T14:00:00.001-07:00

Arthur's birthday isn't actually today. But we celebrated it today.

Doug and Arthur having, no doubt, a very serious conversation.

Grace and me

Baby Bahati and Cori

Continuing theme

2007-10-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

Coming home

2007-10-07T05:02:00.001-07:00

Here's the conclusion of the road trip. Sunrise...then I went to bed.

Finding Dumazile--Part Two

2007-10-06T06:06:00.000-07:00

A reunion after 37 years...this was an amazing experience!

Here's Dumazile with her two mothers. The woman who raised her is on the left, and Granny is on the right.

Annah reunited with her sister Dumazile...note the family resemblance. Annah said: "We are twins!"

Dumazile and Annah walking to the car

And then we were on our way home, over more bumpy dirt and gravel roads.

Finding Dumazile--Part One

2007-10-06T05:48:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I went on a road trip with Granny's family to find Granny's oldest daughter, who had been kidnapped when she was seven. We drove through the night to KwaZulu-Natal, slept for a few hours, then followed a couple of helpful policemen on a two-hour drive through the hills and mountains to the home where Dumazile grew up.

We were surrounded by amazing scenery as we drove through the hills

Annah and Granny walking up the hillside to Dumazile's mother's house

The front of the house

Lungile looking out the doorway at the valley and hills beyond

McDonald's and Jacarandas

2007-10-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

I have never in my life been excited about a McDonald's opening. Until today, when the Pretoria North McDonald's opened...

(Really? Kuwait? Huh.)

The drive home--this is the street I live on, with the jacarandas all in bloom:

I can't stop with the jacarandas

2007-10-03T05:34:00.000-07:00

The sun is out again...

Here's what I'm looking at right now out the window of the coffeehouse:

Cloudy

2007-10-01T05:29:00.000-07:00

It's been cold and rainy for the past few days. The jacarandas are blooming against the grey sky, and it's beautiful.

Backtracking

2007-09-25T08:25:00.001-07:00

More pictures from the Drakensbergs (I stole these from Anne and Karen)...

Arrival...this is the group headed down the hillside to the cottage where the girls stayed.

On our way to find rock art: Sarah, Katie, me, and Anne all walking in step.

Me and Melissa. She's attempting to hide the ridiculously baggy shorts I was wearing for the hike, because I was self-conscious about them. =)

Picnic and shout-out

2007-09-23T09:05:00.000-07:00

This one goes out to my old co-workers, especially to the ones who attended that testing workshop...

We celebrated Melissa's birthday with a picnic and jazz concert at the botanical gardens. I got separated from my camera, but Kevin took this awesome shot of me and Anne talking to Daleen. It doesn't get much better than this...;-)

Elephants galore

2007-09-22T13:37:00.000-07:00

In taking my friends to Pilanesberg, I was hoping that we'd get to see at least some of the big and impressive animals--rhinos, elephants, hippos--and maybe even lions, though I wasn't counting on that last sighting. By lunchtime, we'd seen plenty of zebra and giraffe, some warthogs hilariously squelching in the mud, and numerous kudu, impala, springbok, and waterbok. No elephants, no rhinos, no lions. And hippos only from afar. (Were those hippos or large rocks? Can we be sure?) Anne and Karen were really excited about all they'd seen so far in the day, but I was really really hoping for some elephants in the afternoon. So was Anne. We got our wish. On two separate occasions, we rounded a curve to find elephants RIGHT THERE. Here's our first encounter:

Elephant family from the rear. These guys were all just hanging out, snacking off the trees and blocking the road. We waited patiently for them to move on before driving forward, giving them a wide berth since there was a momma and babies. And since elephants are pretty wide anyway...

Following the road after the elephants moved on a bit:

Bye, elephant family. This nice peaceful picture was taken before a van overtook us and pulled up RIGHT NEXT to the momma elephant. Not smart. She bellowed at them, stretched out her trunk towards the van, and stomped her feet. Aaaa! Fortunately the elephant was more cool-headed than the camera-happy tourists and the animals moved on without incident. We lost no time in getting away from the provoking van. Especially since our car was half the size of the elephant...

Our second elephant encounter came at the end of the day. We headed for one last hide, hoping to see some animals at a watering hole just before sunset. We got there and found that the turnoff/parking area was blocked by two large elephants. So much for visiting the hide...the elephants certainly took precedence. I love this shot of me taking pictures of the elephants:

Pilanesberg

2007-09-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

I took Anne and Karen to Pilanesberg Game Reserve for the day and got to play the role of guide on this my third trip there. I drove us around the game park in our tiny rented VW Chico and there were several times that we all were a little (or a lot) frightened that it (and we) would get trampled by elephants. It didn't.

Here are some highlights from the day...I'll save the elephants for the next post.

Apartheid Museum

2007-09-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

Visiting the Apartheid Museum proved to be a harrowing experience. I heartily recommend against getting lost in Jo'burg in heavy traffic.

In spite of the horrible experience of getting there and back, on this my second visit to the museum, I came away with a stronger sense of all this country has done in coming to terms with the past and the hard work that has and continues to be done to move forward in peace and reconciliation.

Tings 'n Times

2007-09-20T14:23:00.000-07:00

Melissa and I took Anne and Karen to see some live music in Hatfield...

You can take this picture one of two ways...

Downtown

2007-09-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

Anne driving on the left hand side of the road! Anne & Karen rented a car for the end of this week, and Anne's major excitement of the day was navigating through downtown traffic, taxis, and pedestrians.

Sunset from the Union Buildings--looking out over Pretoria

Me with the Pretoria skyline

Anne and Karen with the Union Buildings

Dinner at Pappa's

2007-09-17T14:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, it was.

More of Cathedral Peak

2007-09-16T13:53:00.000-07:00

Beautiful views from our hike to the Fern Forest. We lost the trail in a non-fern forest and bushwhacked our way through trees and bushes...then we clambered over rocks and made our way up the river bed for a while. We may not have taken the right path, but we had a ton of fun.

Karen in what we could find of the Fern Forest!

Cathedral Peak hike

2007-09-16T13:44:00.000-07:00

Just one of the many HUGE and colorful bugs we saw this weekend

Melissa, Anne, Karen and I spent Sunday afternoon hiking near Cathedral Peak. Here's me with my friends from San Francisco...=)

Me with the Cathedral Peak view...

Our slightly questionable hike

2007-09-15T13:26:00.000-07:00

After hiking for 30 to 45 minutes, we arrived at the rock art site and found the gate closed and locked. We had missed the last tour by a little over an hour. But, we discovered that the gate provided a little room to work with...

We gained access to the path that led to caves with thousands-of-years-old San rock art. Here's proof of my presence there:

Here's Anne breaking out of the site, next to a sign that reads "Entry to this enclosure without a guide or prior permission is strictly prohibited." Ack.

Hiking back, Mairin got tired and hitched a ride on Tyler's shoulders. She kept falling asleep, but waking up just as I was about to take a picture...

Sunset at Giant's Castle

Beginning of our first hike

2007-09-15T13:20:00.000-07:00

Sarah driving past a really cool view

A very awesome sign at the parking lot

Postcard-perfect view...starting our hike near Giant's Castle

Where we stayed

2007-09-14T12:43:00.000-07:00

Looking down the hillside at the girls' cabin

The view from our deck

Karen and Anne* sitting on the hillside

*Anne and Karen are visiting me from California! =) They joined us for this weekend away to the mountains...

The kids...

2007-09-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

Sneaking in another picture sent from home. Aren't my nieces & nephews cute? (Well, ok, Jesse's screaming, but still...)

Goodbyes

2007-09-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

Goodbye hugs from the Road Trippers...here's me with Melanie. (Or, "Tall Melanie"...to differentiate from Melanie with the Long Hair.) We got to have a cool mentoring chat on the last day of the Road Trip. =)

More Pilanesberg

2007-09-01T14:59:00.001-07:00

I can't content myself with just one post. More pictures from our game drive!

We got yelled at a few times when park rangers (or whatever they call them at game parks) found us hanging out the windows...

The Road Trippers...and Mairin

If we've told you once, we've told you a thousand times: stay in your car...and no, you cannot ride the zebra.

I had fun hanging out with the Stewart kids this afternoon. Here we have some wildlife inside the car--Iain is giving himself bunny ears.

Road Trip, anyone?

A Rhino and Zebra Day

2007-09-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

Today I tagged along with the Road Trippers on a game drive through Pilanesberg, a local game reserve. By the end of the day, we'd seen our fill of rhinos and zebra. You know you've gotten a little spoiled when you think, "Oh, it's just another rhino and its baby...where are the lions and elephants?!" Our day at Pilanesberg ended fabulously with a bunch of elephants seen right up close. Going through these pictures just now made me realize again how amazing it is to be here!

Celebration Dinner

2007-08-31T14:47:00.000-07:00

Friday night, we had a dinner for our Road Trippers to celebrate the past two weeks they've spent with us. Daleen made her famed bobotie, a Malay dish beloved by all.

Dishing up the bobotie

Sarah and Melanie

The apprentices

Dancing at Granny's

2007-08-29T13:16:00.000-07:00

Soccer and Bunny Chow

2007-08-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

This afternoon, we hung out at the park and played soccer with a bunch of street guys who park cars near the mall. Melissa has worked with these guys a lot over the past couple years, and they know all the NieuCommunities cars. When we drive the couple blocks down to the mall and nearby grocery store, these guys will often chat with us, saying "You stay at Pangani!"

After the soccer game, we had a meal together: bunny chow. No, it's not rabbit food, neither is it made of rabbit meat. Bunny chow is curry (in this case, chicken) inside 1/3 of a loaf of bread. Here's Jo-An and Carissa chowing down. Ha.

And here are the Kabongo kids: Mosky with her baby sister Bahati.

Compass and Potter's House

2007-08-27T13:21:00.000-07:00

On Monday, we spent the morning at Kwalata, a local game reserve, where we did a little orienteering in the bush. Armed with just a couple of compasses, we navigated our way around, collecting neon green disks and eventually finding our way back to camp. My team rocked the compass and made it back to camp way ahead of the other team. Here we have Bryan and Benny manning the compass.

Monday evening, we took the road trippers to Potter's House for dinner with the women and kids there. As always, much fun was had by all. Here's Melanie with a crowd of kids playing with her hair, and Jody looking a bit surprised.

Feast of the Clowns

2007-08-25T13:41:00.000-07:00

This morning a bunch of us headed to downtown Pretoria to attend a carnival put on by the Tshwane Leadership Foundation, the parent organization of Potter's House. We had a lot of fun on this march through the city...I got pulled along by one of the women from Potter's House and drafted into handing out flyers to onlookers.

Road Tripping

2007-08-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

We have eleven people from America visiting here for the next couple weeks on a "Road Trip." Today I joined them for part of their first visit to Soshanguve. One of the places we went this morning was a day care center, where we had fun hanging out with the kids (who, as usual, greeted us with shouts of "makua!" = "white people!").

Sign outside the day care center

Connie entertains the kids with bubbles

Katie plays with a very smiley little girl

Happy Birthday

2007-08-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

These pictures weren't taken by me and they weren't taken in South Africa. But I just have to post a couple pictures of my new nephew who I won't get to meet until November...

Jesse Matthew
born August 20, 2007, 1:09pm
9lbs. 3 oz., 22 in.

I'm sick.

2007-08-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

Here's a look at what's currently on my nightstand. And I don't mean for reading purposes.

Not pictured: my malaria pills.

Updated to say that you can now add to the above: cough syrup and three different types of colorful pills which I am taking thrice daily. I still don't want to move from my bed if I can help it.

More walking on the beach

2007-08-16T06:47:00.000-07:00

Here are various shots of us girls walking on the beach on a very windy day. Sadly, Tyler is missing from this montage. I have no pictures of Tyler from this trip, but I swear he was there; he gave me his cold.

Lots of walking

2007-08-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

It felt like we walked halfway across Mozambique via beach on this day. At least we had an awesome lunch at this cafe. On the complete opposite side of the bay from where we stayed...

Here's a bonus shot of one of the many, many crabs that freaked Carissa out.

Beach

2007-08-14T06:28:00.000-07:00

There were several dogs who hung out around the beach lodge where we were staying. This one was just relaxing in the shade, taking in the view...

Katie and I got caught up in collecting shells. Katie: "I'm going to be one of those old women who decorates her bathroom in shells!"

Lunch at Dino's--our closest lunch spot was 1 km down the beach. We walked down that beach far too many times. I'm really not sure about my hair in this picture.

Accommodations

2007-08-13T05:41:00.000-07:00

I'm posting this photo as an illustration of exactly how long it took us to get to where we were staying in Mozambique. This is pretty much what our first view of the Mango Beach Lodge looked like...when we arrived at 10:30pm after having left Pretoria at 6:00am.

Some better views of our accommodations:

I stayed in Hut #1...

Have you ever slept under a mosquito net? It's kind of annoying.

The view from my bed...sans mosquito net.

This isn't a photo

2007-08-12T13:17:00.001-07:00

This is, instead, a post to say that I'm leaving for Mozambique early tomorrow and will be back on Friday. So don't expect any photos this week. I'll be staying in a "rustic bush hut" on the beach and frolicking in the Indian Ocean. Back-dated photos will be unashamedly posted upon my return. Have fun! I know I will...

Carissa says hello

2007-08-11T13:27:00.000-07:00

This isn't Sarah attacking Carissa as she sleeps. She's administering arm exercises. Please note that Carissa is happily waving.

InnerChange

2007-08-10T14:53:00.000-07:00

Today I spent the day out in Soshanguve with the InnerChange team, hanging out at Granny's house and Emily's house, visiting various friends and neighbors, learning more about the history of Sosh, and concluding the day with dinner at Granny's house. I had to say goodbyes to the team as they'll be out in Sosh until Wednesday...and I leave for Mozambique on Monday for a week off.

Hanging out in front of Granny's. I'm not sure about my expression here...but I love the light in this photo.

"Today I am Nanny Emily." Emily with Luc & Petunia's daughter Bahati. (And a crazed-looking Tyler in the background.)

Carissa with Annie, one of the InnerChange team members, who's visiting us from London.

"Pizza Imonati." Granny sang her pizza song for the camera. Please note how she's playing air guitar...

Women's Day

2007-08-09T12:52:00.001-07:00

Today is Women's Day, which is a public holiday here in South Africa. Sarah and I planned to attend a celebration at Potter's House, but we were late and missed it. We still got to hang out with some of the women...

Oh, and you might like to note from that last picture that I got a haircut last week...

Kitty

2007-08-08T12:50:00.000-07:00

Sarah and the family cat at Granny's. Its name is Kitty.

No eating...where?

2007-08-03T12:48:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure why anyone would want to eat in the toilets. But I guess it's a problem...

Protea Hotel

2007-08-02T13:30:00.001-07:00

Sarah and I are beginning the process of interviewing women for our ministry project, and today we did an interview with a woman from Potter's House. We took her for lunch at a nearby hotel, sat at tables under umbrellas, and heard about her life, her struggles, and her dreams for the future.

Sharing life

2007-08-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

Sarah and I gave Granny's family some "homework" last week. We're going to take time on Friday to share more about our lives with each other. To help do this we asked them to make a life timeline showing important/significant events, using pictures (something that NC had all of us do at the beginning of the year). Granny, Annah, and Sophia had already finished theirs and were so excited to show them to us. I'm excited to hear each of them share their timelines on Friday!

Downtown Monday

2007-07-30T10:18:00.000-07:00

Tripping is not allowed at this corner.

Dinner at Potter's House...Sarah and I always compete to see who can find the smaller of the GIGANTIC portions of pap (kind of like really thick grits--it's a staple food here).

Lobola

2007-07-29T06:10:00.000-07:00

Today I went out to Soshanguve with Sarah and Doug for what we thought was going to be a wedding for Champagne (one of Granny's granddaughters) and her boyfriend July. We had misunderstood, and instead of a wedding, today was the lobola negotiation. Lobola is like a dowry--it's the money that a man or his family must pay to the prospective bride's family. We were told that July's family would be arriving at Granny's just before sunrise, but we opted to go ahead and come a bit late...we arrived at 9:30 instead of 6:00am. And, the family had not yet arrived. There was some miscommunication between the families, so as things turned out, July's family still hadn't arrived by the time we left just after 2:00pm. But we had a great time hanging out with the family, hearing more about their cultural traditions, and even seeing Granny kill two chickens for the meal. You might not want to look at the last of these photos if that last thing on the list bothers you...

Me with Champagne's daughter, Sofatso

Laundry on the fence...and Doug's car. The boys had fun washing the car while we hung out with the family.

And...not for the faint of heart...the freshly decapitated chicken.

Building progress...and another birthday

2007-07-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

Ma Ntabiseng's house is almost done!

The team has been hard at work:

And, we celebrated yet another birthday today: Lungile turned three. =)

I'll close with a beautiful African sunset:

Sarah's Birthday

2007-07-19T04:49:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Sarah's birthday with a morning hike to Wonderboom Fort, where we had a picnic of birthday cookies, ginger beer, and dry lemon.

And...we also celebrated by going to a concert at the Blues Room in Jo'burg...