Don't think I've forgotten about you.
I'm in the middle of an epic battle with hay fever. Once I am victorious, I will put down the sword and pick up the pen (keyboard).
It's a big update because of this week's trip down the coast, and I'm going to do my next update justice! Just gotta wait this sickness out.
- Erin
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Molo! Unjani?
This past week, kids at the hospital have been trying to teach me Xhosa. Sadly, this midwestern accent doesn't sound quite right trying to click and deep vowel her way through sentences. I'm pretty sure I'm slaughtering the language. But now, I can say vital phrases like, "Amanzi ndiphilile impilo ewe biza amapolisa." Which translates roughtly to "Water I am well cheers yes call the police". (Suffice to say, I've got a ways to go.)
We had our first pool day here, complete with braai (barbeque). Of course the day after it's freezing and windy again. This has been the rainest winter Cape Town has had in more than 50 years. However, the rain is over for the year, and with the exception of today it's heating up.
My camera was dropped by a conjoined twin at the hospital, which accounts for the lack of pictures as of late.
The US aircraft carrier ship is parked in Cape Town. No one has any idea why. It's GIGANTIC, you can see it clearly from the top floor of the hospital, which is at least eight miles away.
Also, you heard it here first -- and now it's true. The ANC has "split", but not very effectively. Mr. Lekota (an ANC dude) has started his own party. I can't remember what it's called... but now Mr. Lekota is an ex-ANC dude. It hasn't been very effective thus far (as far as I know) because he's only taken a small percentage of ANC supporters with him. However, it is expected that their numbers will grow and grow as time passes. It's awkward timing with the upcoming election in March.
And speaking of upcoming elections, how nuts is it in the States right now? The American elections are getting huge amounts of attention HERE. I cannot imagine how inescapable it is there.
Last week, we went sandboarding for a friend's 9th birthday. Just like snowboarding... but on sand. I didn't even realize sandboarding EXISTED, but it makes perfect sense -- the boards were exactly the same as what we use on snow. Finally, a talent I can transfer!
Mmmmkay. 2 mas months...
... see you soooooon!
This past week, kids at the hospital have been trying to teach me Xhosa. Sadly, this midwestern accent doesn't sound quite right trying to click and deep vowel her way through sentences. I'm pretty sure I'm slaughtering the language. But now, I can say vital phrases like, "Amanzi ndiphilile impilo ewe biza amapolisa." Which translates roughtly to "Water I am well cheers yes call the police". (Suffice to say, I've got a ways to go.)
We had our first pool day here, complete with braai (barbeque). Of course the day after it's freezing and windy again. This has been the rainest winter Cape Town has had in more than 50 years. However, the rain is over for the year, and with the exception of today it's heating up.
My camera was dropped by a conjoined twin at the hospital, which accounts for the lack of pictures as of late.
The US aircraft carrier ship is parked in Cape Town. No one has any idea why. It's GIGANTIC, you can see it clearly from the top floor of the hospital, which is at least eight miles away.
Also, you heard it here first -- and now it's true. The ANC has "split", but not very effectively. Mr. Lekota (an ANC dude) has started his own party. I can't remember what it's called... but now Mr. Lekota is an ex-ANC dude. It hasn't been very effective thus far (as far as I know) because he's only taken a small percentage of ANC supporters with him. However, it is expected that their numbers will grow and grow as time passes. It's awkward timing with the upcoming election in March.
And speaking of upcoming elections, how nuts is it in the States right now? The American elections are getting huge amounts of attention HERE. I cannot imagine how inescapable it is there.
Last week, we went sandboarding for a friend's 9th birthday. Just like snowboarding... but on sand. I didn't even realize sandboarding EXISTED, but it makes perfect sense -- the boards were exactly the same as what we use on snow. Finally, a talent I can transfer!
Mmmmkay. 2 mas months...
... see you soooooon!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Erin Has Horse Hair.
OK! I'm back! With a vengeance! (Or just on a sugar high)
I am getting transferred to a different part of the hospital. I'm too popular for my own good --- see, there are hardly any volunteers during the North American & European school year. The meeting that will finalize everything is tomorrow, but it sounds like now I will be helping in the cancer outpatient clinic. Apparently they're absolutely scrambled for someone to come in. There's a giant nursing shortage in South Africa, and the Red Cross is feeling the crunch. From then on, I will continue my duties in the housing unit. And although I've been asked to stop my duties as a ward assistant in the tracheostomy unit, the trachy nurse doesn't want me to go. Especially because I have been working one-on-one with an emotionally upset girl. She is without family and needs the stability of someone to see her daily. I only started working with her last week, so it's not like I can abandon her now.
So it looks like I'm on triple duty.
The ANC is soooo going to split. From what I understand, it sounds like some of the top party leaders are going to break away and start their own party. Oh, the political dramz! I'm lovin' it!
A child broke my camera (grrr...). So we are without photos. It's been sent away to be fixed, but of COURSE it would happen just before the weekend I'm going to Cape Point.
Spring has sprung. It's starting to get hot. Which is bizarre... it seems like right now all the leaves should turn orange and I should be raking the lawn. Instead, car windows are rolled down and open-toed shoes must be worn.
While you all at home are stressing like mad about the financial crisis, I am LOVING it. The States sneeze... South Africa catches a cold. The rand (South African currency) is doing very poorly against the dollar. When I arrived it was about 7,20 to the dollar. Now it is 9,19. Niiiice!
Listen, I'd carry on, but there's Survivor to be watched. Priorities are priorities.
More soon!
Amor,
Erin
I am getting transferred to a different part of the hospital. I'm too popular for my own good --- see, there are hardly any volunteers during the North American & European school year. The meeting that will finalize everything is tomorrow, but it sounds like now I will be helping in the cancer outpatient clinic. Apparently they're absolutely scrambled for someone to come in. There's a giant nursing shortage in South Africa, and the Red Cross is feeling the crunch. From then on, I will continue my duties in the housing unit. And although I've been asked to stop my duties as a ward assistant in the tracheostomy unit, the trachy nurse doesn't want me to go. Especially because I have been working one-on-one with an emotionally upset girl. She is without family and needs the stability of someone to see her daily. I only started working with her last week, so it's not like I can abandon her now.
So it looks like I'm on triple duty.
The ANC is soooo going to split. From what I understand, it sounds like some of the top party leaders are going to break away and start their own party. Oh, the political dramz! I'm lovin' it!
A child broke my camera (grrr...). So we are without photos. It's been sent away to be fixed, but of COURSE it would happen just before the weekend I'm going to Cape Point.
Spring has sprung. It's starting to get hot. Which is bizarre... it seems like right now all the leaves should turn orange and I should be raking the lawn. Instead, car windows are rolled down and open-toed shoes must be worn.
While you all at home are stressing like mad about the financial crisis, I am LOVING it. The States sneeze... South Africa catches a cold. The rand (South African currency) is doing very poorly against the dollar. When I arrived it was about 7,20 to the dollar. Now it is 9,19. Niiiice!
Listen, I'd carry on, but there's Survivor to be watched. Priorities are priorities.
More soon!
Amor,
Erin
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