10.05.2005
29 September 2005
Time is flying by as I was warned it would in year number two of service yet still no one can ever prepare for it. I’m down to the last two months and it seems like only now people are discovering I’m around. Suddenly schools want me to come visit for a week and will figure out transport, that’s the whole reason I haven’t visited more! Truth is many have said I should come even local schools but push come to shove I never get an official invite after throwing myself upon them a couple of times.
Today was the culmination of a what? workshop, surprise! Yet, these two over the last weeks are the ones I felt passionate about being a part of since November 2003, Basic Counselling Skills & Bereavement Counselling. I assisted the regional school counsellor wherever needed and tried to offer up as much as I could when the opportunity arouse. While all documents were in English most discussions were in Afrikaans. Although the content was very important…it was the opportunity to see many faces that I’ve worked with over my time here and begin to say my goodbyes as well as theirs that will stay with me. One teacher from a local school said some thanks on behalf of the group and for the first time somebody GOT IT and gave me a compliment that saw me for ME and not just as the American.
A humorous example of my high profile status was when the caterer of the workshop told me there would be chicken for me for lunch because her daughter told her I didn’t like meat. Who would have guessed that one of the 11 girls form MHS that attended the Southern Girls Conference the past weekend would be the caterer’s daughter. I won out on that one as I had fish today!
The walk home through the sand and dust of Mariental as I’ve done for almost 2 years was a poignant reward of the simple joys of life here. I began the walk with a few colleagues where the conversation included the usual...Ai die sun brandt me, the sun is burning me and then where is your sister, Dani. I then turned right as they carried on forward. I passed the bright yellow door of the one room dwelling of my friend Thrisi, whom I met at my last flat as she cleans my neighbours’ home each day. I stop at the chicken wire fence to greet and ask about the day and then walk on while returning Jessica’s greeting, a grade 4 girl who always hollers “hello Shannon” if I’m within 2 blocks of her…moving on I see a lady climb out of the back of a government bakkie, sure to press her ankle length skirt down between her knees, while greeting me. I only know her from coming around the office for help with her long distance degree courses but she always has a smile as big as her 1.45m body. Silence hits me again only to be disturbed by the single chime of the Dutch Reform Church letting me know its half past the hour. Looks like the 10 minute walk as been stretched out again. Next thing I know I’m singing Depeche Mode’s People are People out loud while strutting home…this is a common problem for me, often vocalizing thoughts/songs without realizing it. Not really a big deal on the broad open streets or in the veld but I think my neighbour may worry about me sometimes…the ventilation windows of her living room open into my hallway :) So my journey home concluded with greetings from a few hostel girls out on the lawn and the neighbours dogs walking me to the door. I prepared myself a cup of chai tea and prepared for the big event …mail!
5 October 2005
The last two days I’ve stepped outside and suddenly found myself in this extraordinarily good mood but why? There are clouds in the sky! I haven’t seen that in 6 months ….who would of thunk the Florida girl would celebrate like this….now if only the Ministry of Works would fix my toilet?????
Time is flying by as I was warned it would in year number two of service yet still no one can ever prepare for it. I’m down to the last two months and it seems like only now people are discovering I’m around. Suddenly schools want me to come visit for a week and will figure out transport, that’s the whole reason I haven’t visited more! Truth is many have said I should come even local schools but push come to shove I never get an official invite after throwing myself upon them a couple of times.
Today was the culmination of a what? workshop, surprise! Yet, these two over the last weeks are the ones I felt passionate about being a part of since November 2003, Basic Counselling Skills & Bereavement Counselling. I assisted the regional school counsellor wherever needed and tried to offer up as much as I could when the opportunity arouse. While all documents were in English most discussions were in Afrikaans. Although the content was very important…it was the opportunity to see many faces that I’ve worked with over my time here and begin to say my goodbyes as well as theirs that will stay with me. One teacher from a local school said some thanks on behalf of the group and for the first time somebody GOT IT and gave me a compliment that saw me for ME and not just as the American.
A humorous example of my high profile status was when the caterer of the workshop told me there would be chicken for me for lunch because her daughter told her I didn’t like meat. Who would have guessed that one of the 11 girls form MHS that attended the Southern Girls Conference the past weekend would be the caterer’s daughter. I won out on that one as I had fish today!
The walk home through the sand and dust of Mariental as I’ve done for almost 2 years was a poignant reward of the simple joys of life here. I began the walk with a few colleagues where the conversation included the usual...Ai die sun brandt me, the sun is burning me and then where is your sister, Dani. I then turned right as they carried on forward. I passed the bright yellow door of the one room dwelling of my friend Thrisi, whom I met at my last flat as she cleans my neighbours’ home each day. I stop at the chicken wire fence to greet and ask about the day and then walk on while returning Jessica’s greeting, a grade 4 girl who always hollers “hello Shannon” if I’m within 2 blocks of her…moving on I see a lady climb out of the back of a government bakkie, sure to press her ankle length skirt down between her knees, while greeting me. I only know her from coming around the office for help with her long distance degree courses but she always has a smile as big as her 1.45m body. Silence hits me again only to be disturbed by the single chime of the Dutch Reform Church letting me know its half past the hour. Looks like the 10 minute walk as been stretched out again. Next thing I know I’m singing Depeche Mode’s People are People out loud while strutting home…this is a common problem for me, often vocalizing thoughts/songs without realizing it. Not really a big deal on the broad open streets or in the veld but I think my neighbour may worry about me sometimes…the ventilation windows of her living room open into my hallway :) So my journey home concluded with greetings from a few hostel girls out on the lawn and the neighbours dogs walking me to the door. I prepared myself a cup of chai tea and prepared for the big event …mail!
5 October 2005
The last two days I’ve stepped outside and suddenly found myself in this extraordinarily good mood but why? There are clouds in the sky! I haven’t seen that in 6 months ….who would of thunk the Florida girl would celebrate like this….now if only the Ministry of Works would fix my toilet?????
1 Comments:
I love to picture you walking and singing out loud! I made a trip to the post office yesterday; your letter should arrive soon.
