No Folderol Here

A window at the National Library of Congress
My mom and I at the National Gallery of Art
I read that a dog's nails should be cut once a month, apparently Vuyo didn't need his nails cut, because we cut the quick on the first one and bandaged it up.
An enclosed phone booth at the National Gallery of Art (not in the gallery, but for people to use) :)

Six weeks of holiday with my parents in Maryland. My brother arrived over a week ago and so we have begun going places. Last Tuesday, we went to Washington D.C. for my Dad's work Christmas party and stopped at the National Library of Congress for an exhibit of the first map with the name America on it (1515). After the party, we went to the National Gallery of Art for a snapshot exhibit of people's snapshots from the late 1800's until the 1970's.

I have been attending the young adult Bible Study at my parent's church. I was asked to lead the group one night, we are studying John along with the church and that week was John 10-12. We looked at God as the Shepherd and as sheep knowing God's voice, God's silence leading to greater things and being generous.

Since I am on holiday (although my brother says I am destitute) and the library is just over the bridge, I am racing through books and am about to finish reading Country of My Skull by Antjie Krog. She writes of her two years as a radio journalist covering the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, including narratives presented.

La Primera Nieve (The First Snow)

My dad on the balcony for our morning sunrise coffee
Vuyo's lookout point, no one is going to walk by the house without his notice
Snowfall in the back garden

Today was the first snowfall at my parent's house.

I arrived back in the states two weeks ago, the day before Thanksgiving. My first two mornings were lovely, sat on my parent's balcony with puppies and coffee and just talked with mom and dad.

I will be in Laurel, Maryland until January and at the moment I am trying to keep up with my mom's physical fitness, joining her for her daily jaunts to the gym.

Also reading a very interesting book - Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver (and family members) about the year they spent eating only local food - Mostly growing it themselves, but it is quite interesting the sidebars on food production in the United States. Unfortunately, it is winter and I am salivating for homegrown vegetables.

Luke has gone home

Luke chasing KJ
Luke along with KJ and Copper
Luke and Vuyo in Maryland in my parent's kitchen.

Luke was shipped off to Albuquerque, New Mexico on 27 November. He is living with two other dogs, just like his old place, so not much change on that point, except these two are much older.

Go Down with the Sun

Me on the train

Clouds rolling over the 12 Apostles

Sunsetting by Lion's Head

My last post from South Africa so long. Information on the pictures is in the next post. For here, just enjoy some of my last views of Cape Town.

Proteas along the Sundowners

Simon's Town - home of a naval base

Simon's Town Penguins

Guinea Fowl, they come out in the summer and run rampant

Fortunately loose ends and packing were taken care of over the weekend, so I could go out and thoroughly enjoy my last day in Cape Town. Oh, I did have to go to the traffic department first thing in the morning to give notice of change of ownership of my car and then a friend and I took the train to Simon's Town, about 40 minutes ride. The train is sometimes feet away from the shoreline.

We had lunch, walked past boulder, were the penguins stay (yes, in Africa!).

My housemates and I then had a picnic on top of Signal Hill for a sundowner. A summer activity here is to go to the beach or the mountain with drinks and/or a picnic to watch the sun set over the Atlantic.

Mmmmm, I will leave some reflections for later I think. :)

Llandudno Beach

Some people consider this the best beach. It is a small beach quite far from Cape Town. I was there last Saturday briefly and then Sunday the young adults at church went. Vuyo went as well and was so well-behaved.

Saturday night was my going away party. I had some themes thrown in - a "t" party for tory or tea or ttttt, a puppy theme - because people have to say goodbye to the dogs too and Vuyo will have passed his puppy training or nightmare before christmas - because i have to go home.

My car is sold, found people to move into my room and the dogs are at the airport about to fly to Johannesburg.

Vuyo is Certified

Vuyo passed his puppy class on Saturday. Just in time. He had to do a heel pattern, come, sit, stand, lie down and wait, as well as sit stay for one minute and lie down stay for 2 minutes. Such a great puppy dog.

The Tuesday Night Crowd

We had our regular Tuesday night jazz gathering, with a crowd of people this time. This is Don and i at dinner at Cafe Ganesh. The first picture is of the jazz band and the tree inside Asoka's.

What fun to have a weekly outing as fun as jazz and Asoka's makes some of the best mixed drinks in Cape Town.

Five days left, yikes! Starting to work on packing and finishing up sight-seeing as well. Hectic stuff, arranging for two dogs, when people have incorrect information and selling a car (I don't like dealing with selling stuff in general). This afternoon I am going to the District 6 Museum and Robben Island with some friends.

Leaping into a Cavern

I have been horrible, because I keep forgetting my camera and I am on holiday.

My internship ended November 2. The weather hasn't been very motivating though, lots of rain last week. So I spent days transitioning and sleeping, organizing.

Friday I drove out to Stellenbosch with a friend and we made it to one winery. A very small one named Audacia that only produces red wines and the tasting room is very small with couches in an old house. Nice for a rainy day.

Yesterday, I hiked Devil's Peak, took Vuyo to his puppy class and then off to the beach. We went to one of the furthest beaches, but quite nice and secluded...Llundadno. In the evening I went to a potluck meal (not a part of South African culture). It was nice, 9 of us and a bit more formal than a potluck. We ate outside by candlelight.

So I am attempting to see some things before I leave, process all sorts of things in my mind, and pack up and cut off loose ends - selling my car, renting my room.

A Casino Concert

hhhmmm, so my friend received some complimentary tickets last night to see Gladys Knight at the Grand West Casino. Watched a little of an ice skating class before the concert.

Outside the Window

I took some photographs around where I am for individual therapy. The house at #36 is one I took from the car window as I drove from the school. The other two are photographs from the windows of the office and therapy room in the youth center in Lavender Hill.

This is my last week at my internship and I am starting to feel the toll of saying goodbyes and transitioning back to the States.

My car is up for sale and just as I feel we are connecting. Someone made the comment that the petrol here is low quality - quite dirty and it suddenly clicked. Now I have been pouring carb cleaner and fuel cleaner into it and although it will die sometimes on idling, it doesn't jerk and doesn't die as I am breaking.

The saga of paperwork continues. Currently, I am still attempting to register as an intern. Today is finding out if my second application has even been received first. If not, then I have to wait until I return home to get more certified copies of my degrees (I've used up the notarized copies I brought).

My house continues to be fun chaos with three dogs and summer is arriving as I am getting ready to return to winter.

Rugby World Cup Champions

Just over a week ago, South Africa won the Rugby World Cup. They played England, the reigning champions. The Roses and Springboks also played in the qualifying round at the beginning of the tournament.

I watched the game at my church. The two people in the foreground are in my cell group. What craziness afterwards as well. Yesterday, the Springboks toured through Cape Town, ending at the rugby stadium. I didn't go, but I certainly heard people outside.

Not Worth Note in My House

Notes on these pictures are listed below. :)

Traumas and the Therapy of Massages

Clare trying to decide amongst the many drink selections at Asoka's
Clare and Don, my regular Tuesday night partners
And per everyone's request, a picture of me

Came to the Coffee Bean tonight to hang out on the internet and found it was music night, so also listening to some acoustic guitar music.

The Coffee Bean has become and favorite hang out. The local coffee shop with free internet. Pretty much unheard of around Cape Town.

People have been requesting photos of me this week. I am going to try to work on that, but since I am the one with the camera it is a bit difficult.

Lots to catch up on...The Trauma Centre contract with the city of Cape Town to provide disaster relief management and my team was oncall last week. On Sunday we were called because there was an electrical fire at an electrical substation. Five men were injured with one dying later that day. My 2 coworkers and I went to the different hospitals to spend time with the families. On Monday I went to the electrical station to help debrief the employees. It was certainly a draining experience, but certainly appreciate that I am able to sit with people in their grief.

Two friends and I have started a Tuesday night tradition, it started a couple months ago, with a couple gathering and now we are all able to go regularly. It involved dinner and listening to jazz at Asoka's, a little trendy bar that makes very good mixed drinks. This past Tuesday we opted for buying sushi instead of making it. The restaurant we found down the street from Asoka's fortuitously has sushi for 30% off on Tuesdays. Yum!

My visa expired on Monday, and I went to the Home Affairs office and received a stamp good until April, 2008 (if only money grew on trees...)

The other night I turned the furniture in the lounge backwards, after a day and a half of no comments by my two housemates (one is in India for a conference), I silently returned all to their former state.

Grenadillas and Red Gardenias

Finally, a picture of the house I moved to in July. Vuyo is sitting on the steps, if you can see him.
The front garden.
And the two puppy dogs taking a nap on Sunday.



Three more weeks left at my internship. I drive around and am still amazed that I have lived overseas - and in Cape Town. And what timing, South Africa is on the cusp of winning the rugby World Cup. The final is next Saturday against England. They were both in the same group and South Africa beat them then and England is the reigning champions. Excitement.





The other week at my house we had a bit of a battle. I told Cat that she couldn't take a shower because there was a crack in the pipes and she asked about a bath and I told her that the stopper had been lost, maybe a dog had carried it off. She went to the kitchen sink where we have 5 or 6 stoppers and started throwing them at me and trying to throw them in my coffee.





Jules came home and we ambushed him, Fritz just focused on washing dishes. So some pandemonium as we threw stoppers at each other. When I returned to my coffee, I found a sponge sitting in it - Fritz did not remain a passive observer.

I had my first taste of a grenadilla yesterday. Slimy yellow goodness.

For the Inquisitive

Decided to change the template of my blog. It is like rearranging the furniture, needs to be done every few months. I did rearrange my bedroom a couple weeks ago.

For the previous post - my church is Christ's Church http://www.christ-church.org.za and is part of the Anglican church. It is quite big. This Sunday, the evening service will be held a earlier to allow for watching the South Africa Springboks play Argentina Pumas in the semifinals for rugby.

Tea - A person must be prepared to serve tea in their home. I asked my coworkers what would happen if someone asked for tea and the host said they didn't have any, they said it would be a sign that the guest was not invited to linger. :)
I drink tea or coffee almost every day and every home I have been to has an electric tea kettle. There are two choices for tea: rooibos or normal (black). Such a comfort, I am glad I brought my two favorite coffee cups with me.

Here hits the contemplative mood for which the Sierra's (mom's family) are known. Wednesday night at my cell group, we were asked to tell "our story" and than Thursday's are the day I have individual therapy with five children. We create stories, some of them completely true stories and some of them stories so that we can touch on the truth. This week I find myself holding a lot of stories, my own and others.

Yesterday, I was thinking about how easy it is to find something in the States. Some of it might just be my knowledge of places here, but there is no 24 hour Wal-Mart, a 24-hour Petrol station opened up down the street last month with a Woolworth's food stop, that was very exciting. Our telephone cord was chewed through and I am at a bit of a loss as to where to replace it. Now the question I am looking at is whether having so many things available is the way to go. But is that phrased well? I think most people would look at that and say, of course being able to find what you want quickly and easily is good. Guess maybe I am wondering about the materialism of it all. I'm glad it is the weekend, my brain needs to stop.

My car is back on the road (and seems to be doing great; no charges from the mechanic) and I am starting to go running, basically just around a large block this week.

Sunday Evenings in communion

This is where I go to church.

Dassies

Watching the USA Eagles play the South Africa Springboks in the rugby World Cup. Of course, the USA lost. :( But they looked good and the Boks are looking quite good to win it all in just over one week. A view from my front door.

Uuumm, so our house is a little dog crazy. We have added another puppy a few days ago, that I will take back to the states with me for a friend. Luke is a Tervuren just like Vuyo. So now we have three puppies in the house, it is fun and chaotic, but after all their playing they nap. :)

I am definitely experiencing a small part of what it is like to have children, fortunately here I can just put the dog somewhere and go out.

I have been trying to post something since the last post, but computers always have some problem or another to make it difficult. So updates on life...

Looks like I have sorted things out well enough to at least stay in Cape Town until November 20. Won't actually have the date posted in my passport until the current one expires October 22. I also found out that the board exam is the first Wednesday in February, not April so that changes things a bit as well.

Wondering whether I should make any plans for life anymore because each week there is new information that alters the projections.

My car is at the mechanic again, haven't heard from him, don't know what is wrong. As soon as I know it is running well...I am selling it.

And schnikeys, Sunday was one of the coldest days I have seen here. People are hoping it is the last storm before spring - hail was seen.

Oh, and the title...dassies are an animal on table mountain: google it, people say Luke looks just like a dassie.

Views from the new office

The Children and Violence Programme moved downstairs all in to one office and outside one window is this Bird of Paradise.

It is so curious how we end up with different habits around the world. My housemate and I had breakfast together last Monday and he commented on me putting butter on my waffle. Apparently not done here.

New Mexican food night

Kate holding Jazz and Clare

Clare and Jane - rolling out tortillas

Last night I had a few friends over for to make some corn tortillas and dinner to go with them. My mom sent me the smallest package of masa harina she could find...about 5 pounds of it. We made black bean enchiladas, tortilla chips and Indian fry bread.

Tonight is a Christ's Church young adult social at someone's house in Constantia.

Tomorrow night is the South Africa Springboks vs. the USA Eagles in the rugby World Cup. I need to go find some face paint. :)

Saw the doctor yesterday for a medical clearance and chest x-ray for TB for my visa. Apparently in South Africa they get TB? boosters as children and therefore they do not administer skin tests here.

Plans for 2010

The one picture is the location of the World Cup soccer stadium in Cape Town. They took part of a golf course to build it. There is a lot of controversy over the stadium. Some people don't want it built there, others feel that it is not conveniently located for the people who are fans of soccer, others question whether it will be done in time.

The other picture of St. George Cathedral, where I attended the evensong service. I think it is also where the archbishop of Cape Town (oversees all of South Africa Anglican diocese) presides.

Mountain Highs and Ocean Lows

Snickerdoodles, dark photographs are my bane. My friend Doug sent me these photos to post on my blog and here they are. The first, unseeable one is of some fish, directly above is Doug and to the left, I assume it is Doug as well - diving.

The quick update is that my car died on the highway yesterday at rush hour. Apparently the distributor points were burned (for any interested parties) and this morning the mechanic said it was the coil and it seems to be running quite well now.

I went to the Department of Home Affairs today and managed to get an application to change my status. Now just need to get the paperwork together. On my way to staying until November 20 now. :)

Exploring the Terra Firma

Scrap the pictures, keep picking the dark ones. This was just a artistic picture of some trees.
And if you look closely enough you can almost see the gap in this person's teeth, suggesting the "passion gap" I have mentioned earlier.

I have started exploring the area more. Taking Vuyo out in search of hikes and walking spots. Saturday we went to the Rondebosch craft market in the park and then a birthday picnic cut short to attend puppy obedience classes. Back to the party to catch the second half of the Rugby World Cup game of South Africa Springboks against Tonga. The Springboks are looking good to win the tournament and they play the USA on Sunday. I've been telling people that I am going to paint my face for that game (to do list: find some face paint).

Sunday, I tried to find a dog show and came home. Took Vuyo out to Sea Point for a walk, but forgot the leash. Fortunately? my car's seatbelts are tied to a bracket on the floor and I untied one and used that as a leash. Then off to St' George's Cathedral for the Evensong service.

Monday was a public holiday, Heritage Day. Parked my car for the day and read a book and went for a hike with some dogs and friends in the forest.

This week is Spring Break, so no work with the schools and half the Children and Violence Programme is on holiday.

A Green Wednesday being followed by a Purple Thursday

The cricket stadium with a view of Devil's Peak. The rugby stadium is just off to the right side.
South Africa vs. Pakistan in cricket
A soccer fan
The vuvuzela's are a requirement at soccer games. My friends claimed their ears were ringing afterwards.

Sagas continue in perseverance and waves. So I messed up a bit with application stuff. My holiday visa expires October 22 and I thought I could keep extending that as long as I could show financial ability. Nope. I should have applied for a temporary residence visa from the beginning. Now I need three more weeks on my visa and I can't get anything less than six months and I need a reason for it at that. So I can change my plane ticket and pack up and go home October 22 or take a letter from The Trauma Centre stating that I am volunteering for six months (and that is just to start the application process).

My car and my colds continue at much the same rate.

Two weeks ago, I went to a cricket game and a soccer game. I have learned a bit about how cricket is played. Fortunately it was the twenty 20 World Cup and so it was a much quicker game than other cricket matches (4 hours). Did you know that one team bats first and than the other team just tries to surpass their score? Once that happens, the game ends.

The soccer game was between a local Cape Town team (Ajax) and a Johannesburg team (Jomo Cosmos).