Monsters, Inc. or The Incredibles?

Ah, citizens. Hello. It's been a good week.

Work is going pretty well, I think. No major screwups so far, at least. It's challenging and I'm looking forward to being able to sort of conquer it. I've worked in the urology ward twice, the transplants ward once, the "coughing" ward once (lots of TB), and the oncology ward twice. Urology is where I'm most successful, since kids are able to get up and move around a bit more (despite not being allowed to; thus getting me in trouble). Oncology is the most technologically advanced by FAR, but also the most... disheartening. I was on the ward Wednesday when a patient died.

However, I might be switching assignments soon anyway. We're playing it by ear at the moment, but I might end up finishing a burn database (the burn ward is always extremely busy during the winter) or working on materials for illiterate parents. Who knows? Time will tell. But I was told to think outside the box during my time at the Red Cross as a volunteer. For instance, instead of just arriving everyday and entertaining the kids -- having an International Day, or maybe performing music or something. Any ideas? I have very few talents, so think hard.

This week was pretty busy outside of work as well.

I went to Canal Walk with Katherine, a girl from Grand Rapids who happens to be staying very close to me, her friend Katie, and their friends Michael & Tim. Canal Walk is this HUGE shopping mall that reminded me a bit of Disneyworld if you ask me. We drove in under this HUGE bridge that was ornamental and very decorative. The whole place was like that -- huge stores, huge palm trees lining the inside, huge bridges. Huge huge huge. We saw a movie & I bought scarves to keep me warm in this wintery state we're in. Got very lost on the way there, which was more fun than not.

Went to work early on Wednesday to listen to a lecture by University of Cape Town students & professor. There were three minor presentations on iron deficiency, genealogical depression, and communication. Interesting considering it was 8am.

Other experiences include:

- an introduction to Mr. Price (cheap winter clothing)

- sleeping for 14 hours straight (take that, jet lag)

- taking a minibus home (it was like inhaling gasoline)

- babysitting & watching Pixar movies (the major debate of our time: The Incredibles or Monsters, Inc.?)

- moving apartments (just as nice, no problem there)

- finding out that patients go home on Fridays (surprise!!)

- discovering this sweet little bookshop down the corner (two words: Member Discount)

And, today was amazing. We (me & the Bray clan) went on a scenic drive. I'll never forget it, for the rest of my life -- it was so incredible. We basically drove in the circle around the mountain that sits in the middle of the city. Then we did as much of Chapman's Drive as we could (it's always closed after rain due to mudslides) and saw Hout Bay from up above. THAT was possibly the most intense portrayl of nirvana I've ever seen.

Okay, listen, I've done three photos and it's very difficult to do.
It's also late. And by late, I mean 9:30. But I happen to have the sleeping schedule of an 80-year-old man. Do not judge me.

So, g'nite! Much love. I keep having dreams about people from home, if that assures you I miss you!
Sweet dreams,
Erin

Cold, Mountains, & Babies... & Food

Hey all,

so I'm in day 3 right now and feeling much more settled (though still trying to find my bearings). Thus, sit in & relax for a long update with many many details.

I moved into my apartment on Sunday. The building itself is nice, and my apartment is very cozy. Cold, though, because no where in South Africa is there central heating -- and right now it's about 55 degrees everyday. I'm FREEZING, I need to invest in a pair of gloves. Anyway, the apartment is on the 15th floor, and I have to admit the view is...

UNDESCRIBABLE!

I'm only living here for another ten days, but until then I take every single meal in front of the window. The first day it was total sunshine, so I could see all the mountains perfectly. Next it was so cloudy that there was just this ominous start of a mountain, and you couldn't tell where it stopped. Today the clouds have been sifting in and out between the mountains. I can't wait for tomorrow! Ironically, the best view is actually from the bathroom, and it's so incredible it even overshadows the major downside of the 1508 cockroaches. 1508, as in... the number of our apartment. There aren't 1508 cockroaches. ...I hope.

And speaking of views, I saw one that blew my apartment's view out of the water -- but the only time you see it is when we're driving to work, so I'm not quite sure how to get a photo of it.

Work itself is at the Red Cross Children's Hospital. I leave my apartment by 8:30 every morning, drive to work. Go up three floors to the volunteer's room. Sign in, lock in my bag, put on an apron, and stash a bag with toys. I'm assigned to a different ward each day. Go to the ward, entertain. At 11, there's a tea break with "biscuits" (cookies!!). Go back, clean up & disinfect the toys. Then we take a brief lunch break and leave for Sarah Fox Hospital, which is just ten minutes away. It's where babies who are too sick to go home but too healthy to be in the hospital stay. Then we take care of them 'til four or so. Then head home.

That's the schedule. Things are definitely going to change, especially as other people working at the hospital leave & my time goes on & whatnot. I'm probably going to start working on materials for the hospital after some time passes.

The first day I was assigned to the urology ward. I entertained (or tried to) two ex-conjoined twins, Zinzey and Zanetta. This was where I learned the one thing that has cheered up EVERY SINGLE KID SO FAR: teach them the word "pink". They CRACK UP. I have NO IDEA what it is! Today I worked in the oncology unit, which I won't deny was a bit depressing. 'Here, tiny and fatally ill two-year-old, life's not so bad because you can knock over this stack of old blocks I built you'. Uh-huh.

Sarah Fox is BY FAR my biggest challenge though. Why? I am not a baby person. I understand they've never done me any personal wrong, but I cannot look at a baby and melt into a puddle of "omigosh". That's why Sarah Fox was possibly one of my worst nightmares. Literally: twenty babies in a pen. Put me in the pen. Go.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

I went grocery shopping for the first time yesterday at a store very, very close to my place called Fruit & Veggie City. I think it's pretty much South Africa's version of a Whole Foods, just much smaller. It was a find -- food is generally cheaper here. I bought a TON of apples, a block of cheese, water, apple crumbly stuff & a loaf of bread for eight dollars. (And yes, I do intend to live on that specific diet for the duration of my stay.) I'm going to do some more substantial food shops tomorrow maybe.

Tonight I'm meeting up with a girl from Grand Rapids who happens to be living in the area. We're gonna get dinner & maybe catch a movie. (Movies are CHEAP to see here - but sadly they come out a few weeks later. The Dark Knight premieres on Friday. I'm DEFINITELY gonna see it again.)

Basically, things here are going really well. I'm loving everything so far & can't wait to be completely settled so I can start doing crazy things like.... touring.

The highlight of this week? Is looking forward to next week. Next Wednesday, I'm going cage diving.

OH! And people, if you don't post comments, I don't know you've read. And if I don't know you read, I think you don't love me. And if I think you don't love me, I get too sad to cheer up children. It works that way. You're hurting orphans in Africa, people.

The First Minutes

PEOPLE!! I'm here!!

I made it in at about 5 here, when the sun was setting (beauuuuuuuuuutiful!). I'm a little slap-happy right now because I'm so exhausted,. but trying to stay awake 'til later. My very first shower? Heaven. HEaven heaven heaven. Oh my lord. HEaven. HEAAAAVEN!!! The plane was not fun, as it rarely is. It went pretty smoothly with the minor exceptions of a complaining stomaach (that i'm told could be heard three rows away -- i had NO IDEA what to do to make it shut up. I could literally watch it go in & out.) and the semi-violent security in Senegal. It was actually pretty cool though because when we got delayed, all the passengers bonded. Now I have friends in Lebanon. WHUT.

Okay, so I'm a little crazed right now. In my defense, the keyboard is not set up the same way. And it took me thirty hours to get here. Janet picked me up from the airport & I got to drive around the intensely beautiful city (pictures to come). Their house is AMAZING & they're letting me stay here before I move into an apartment in inner-city Cape Town. I owe these people oodles. And oodles. And banoodles. Greg & I share the same birthday (though a few years apart) and we went to dinner with their kids at the Cavendish (I think) shopping mall. I had some mushroomy pasta that was amazing. It was fun driving, too. Opposite sides of the car! Drunken soccer fans! Robbie Williams!

I am seriously about to go pass out from exhaustion. So that's what I'm on my way to do. When I have slept and wake up in (x) hours, I'll try and post some semblance of consciousness. If you know what I mean.
WAIT! I have to clean first. My shampoo bottle exploded in my luggage. It's okay though, because now all my supplies for five months smell like citrus breeze.

zzzp


UPDATE:
Wow. I really was tired. And now I'm awake! Janet gave me some miracle drug called Melatonin, which readjusts your body clock. I slept aaaaall night long, which if you've traveled time zones before, you know is such a miracle I'm a bit suspicious. This house is seriously gorgeous -- and Table Mountain, the huge mountain that directs all of Cape Town, is beauuutiful.
We're about to go out to breakfast, and then I'm going to move into my apartment. I'm not sure how often I'll have internet from there, but give me a few days to get settled in and I'll see how often I can find it.

Ahh! This is right.
Oh, and tip #1: do NOT think 'That's what she said' when someone tells you that Nelson Mandela is "the glue that holds us all together".


P.S. I retract my previous statement. There is NO benefit from having your shampoo explode in your luggage. And it didn't even explode. The cap came off and it emptied. I can't even find the cap. I'm thinking some security guard had a lot of fun.

The Last Minutes

HOLY. SHIZ.
So I'm leaving in literally ten minutes. I just wanted to drop a quick note, since you people seem to want to stay in contact (please do!!), my email is erintock@hotmail.com
Easy peasy. Simple to remember. Use it. Often.

Wow. I'm doing it.

Ready....


JUMP

Editor's Note

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA WHO'S EXICTED?

Meeeeeeeeeeeeee mememememememe

!

Updatey Dateupy

Hello citizens of the world,

I'm updating in order for information to reach the masses. (I like to give the people what they want. All four of you.)

After hitting what can best be described as 'a snag', I've scrambled to re-organize the trip and it's worked out beautifully. I'm now going with Connect-123, and most likely have scored an internship at the Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town.

I'll probably be spending the first week and a half at a youth hostel nearby, and in August move into an apartment complex with other interns in Cape Town (which is where I'll stay until December).

This is the plan. But plans have been known to change. Basically, now we enter the last week, as what the [insert adjective here] George Takei put into words best, "delicious anguish". Numerous daily trips for errands, trying to organize the hurricane of my room into a suitcase, and of course trying to do everything I want to before I can't anymore. Seen every movie in theaters? Check. Eaten a roast beef sub from Subs & Drugs? Check. Driven as much as possible? Check. 

Hopefully I'll be able to update this thing weekly and thereby will keep in touch with... you four. (I'd say 'hi, mom', but she's not even reading this.)

Much love!,

Erin