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.