Return Home

I'm sure nobody is still checking this because I'm finally back home. I've been at my parents house for a week now and I'm working on getting my life in order. I'm reapplying for that internship, applied for a job, there is a course that I want to take through the Red Cross, so many options.

Debriefing in Toronto was an emotional time. I thought I was all emotioned out, but Canada World Youth surprises me again! I'm really glad we got to experience that though. Then after Canada won the gold, we got to experience the madness of Yonge St in Toronto. Then the girls and I went to a hostel downtown. That was just the fun we needed and long enough to say our proper goodbyes, although we were missing more than half of our group. We went shopping, made some great meals, had some great meals in some great restaurants.

Then I went to visit some old friends from school while I was in Toronto and we realized that we hadn't seen each other in almost two years! Much too long. It was really nice to catch up with them.

Then I did Halifax for a couple days and saw some lovely friends from high school. Also lovely. Then finally I came home safe and sound! So that's probably the end of my updates... unless you want to know when I get a job.

The last of the last

So this is my last chance at the internet in Cape Town. We are going to the debriefing camp tomorrow and then flying out on Friday (pray for a safe trip). Then we are headed to London, have a 6 hr layover, then we are headed home to Canada. We've got a 2 day debrief in Toronto and then the girls and I are getting a hostel to spend a few extra days together. Then I get to hang out with my roommates from school. I'll make sure to give an update when I'm finally home sometime after the 10th of March. But until then, thank you for reading, and I look forward to seeing everyone again.

Lots of love!

Laura

Finally, an Update!

I realize, I haven't updated in a while. I finished my internship application and haven't heard anything back yet. It's only been 4 days but still, it feels like forever. Last weekend I hiked Table Mountain. yayyyy. It took us 11 hours to get up and back down. My legs hurt for the following 3 days. It was enjoyable but I woke up in the morning having digestive problems. Didn't stop me though, I still went all the way up the mountain. We ended up walking literally in the clouds. Then on the way back down I was less than half a metre away from a mountain goat. Apparently they are evil goats though. He didn't seem very evil to me, but what do I know.

My job is going really well. My presence is appreciated, because I'm good at math and therefore can help tutor in math. There's a few American girls there now working with us. We're still the kitchen bitches though, cooking the food everyday for all the students.

This weekend we are going on a Township tour, which is gonig to be really nice. I'll update on that one as well. I don't have much news at the moment I suppose, things are going really well, my host family is lovely as always, and I'm happy.

Oh, and for those of who are wondering, I'm worknig on extending my plane ticket in Toronto, and Lara and I are working on finding a place to stay while we're there. I'll update those who desire that information once I have it.

BusyBusyBusy

I started my new work placement at School of Hope and it's not going too badly. Most of the students are only a couple years younger than me and I spend most of my time either cooking or tutoring math. The learners are really nice though. I've spent most of my afternoons working on this darn internship I'm hoping to get. I sent it off today, so if I get it, I get it. If I don't, that is life. Then maybe I'll head out to Korea to make some cash or try and find a job in dear old Canada. This weekend we're going to hike Table Mountain. I'm a little afraid of this because it is an 8 hour full day hike that we're going to be doing. Things could be worse though. I think my internet time is running out though and I don't want to pay extra. Love and hugs to everyone.

So Much Stuff!

Okay, where to start. Last weekend on Saturday we went to see REAL LIVE PENGUINS. They were amazing. I took so many pictures. I thought it was AWESOME. Then Sunday we went and did a hike up one of the mountains with two of the other girls on the program. My legs still kind of hurt. Then today was my first day at my new work placement (School of Hope). What did we do? WE WENT TO THE BEACH. I'm completely happy right this second, except for working on my internship application on a program that doesn't work and types about 10 words an hour no matter how fast I type.

Friday we're hopefully going back to the beach, and Saturday I'm going to Robben Island. Sunday is my host father's birthday, so that will be nice. My time is getting short here and there's so many things we want/need to do. Hopefully we will get them done.

Now... back to the application!

SHARKS!!!!!

So Saturday I went to the beach. It was all lovely and nice. I'm laying on my towel, letting my sunscreen soak in before I head to the water and the next thing I know, theres an extremely well built blonde lifeguard RUNNING top speed down the beach, blowing his whistle. In his hand is a white flag, with a black shark on it. EVERYBODY OUT OF THE WATER he screams. This continued to happen throughout the day. Sharks were definitely at the beach with us that day. It was probably the most exciting thing I've seen in a while. There was chaos and confusion, and then everyone just kind of dealt with the fact that there were sharks and didn't go in the water. Then they took down the shark flag and we all went swimming again. But no! Things were not quite safe yet! There were this blue floaty things which happened to be jellyfish that sting. They were EVERYWHERE! But it's alright, I didn't get hit by one. I made it the whole day without being stung or bitten.

Yesterday we went into town in a fantastic craft market. It was Carla's birthday so we went out for a few drinks and spent the day looking at the market. I finally bought some souveniers for my family, I just hope that they love them. Luckily, I love them so if they end up hating them I'd be more than happy to take everything off their hands. Next step is buying myself some beautiful clothes to wear home. I was going to go back to the holistic market, but there is one more on the first weekend of February which I think that I'll head to. Hopefully the clothes I like will still be there, if I'm lucky. If not, theres a fantastic dress that I just might have to buy. We shall see. I should probably get some nice heels to go with this fantastic dress.

We're starting to think about planning a car wash so that we can raise the money to go to Robben Island. We have some funds from the Stephen Lewis money we received but it doesn't cover the full cost to go. Seeing as this is one of the things I feel I can't leave South Africa without seeing, I will work to raise all the money. This would be an extremely valuable experience for everyone.

I'm working on applying for an internship for when I get back to Canada. This means I might get back and almost immediately turn around. I don't want to speak too much about it because I haven't applied yet, and it's extremely competitive. It would be nice to have a plan when I return though. Backup plan: Teach English in Korea.

There is one more thing that I must say. They have ice cream bars here that are like Haggen Daas, same quality, except they have more flavours and they cost less than $1 CAD. I'm going to get SO FAT off of these things. Talk about a vice! My favourite is a chocolate mint one. They almost taste better than Haggen Daas. I'm trying to convince one of the girls in the group to open up an ice cream factory in Canada to sell these things because they are CRAZY good. Also, the chip flavours here, fantastic! There is this lays flavour, it's special for 2010 World Cup, it's called "sweet and spicy chutney". Holy crap. This is probably the best tasting chip I have ever had. Also, the fish and chips here, soo good. I had this one place, they flash fried it fresh, it was one of the greatest things I've ever had. I want it again, and again, and again. You may not recognize me when I come home, because I am WELL FED.

That's all, I think. Cheers

Christmas

So Christmas came and went. It was a little disappointing that we didn't have snow for Christmas. I went to Busi's family from the 24th to the 26th. It was nice to meet her family and friends and extended family and see where it is that she came from. It was also nice to see a different part of Cape Town. I'm sad I didn't get to spend Christmas with my sister and the babies this year, next year they're spending time with Simon's parents. All in all it was a nice experience. The next hurdle is figuring out what to do for New Years. I think that we're going to have a small party at one of the girl's host familys place which should be nice. Then we'll have a sleepover so that no body has to worry about walking at night or being without transit.

Right now I'm at work. Yesterday was a VERY busy day. I didn't get much sleep the night before either. I'm working at an abused women's shelter doing reception (if I haven't already told you before). The women here are very nice, but hearing the women's stories day by day is a little upsetting. Today was quiet though which was nice.

Yesterday we went to one of the girl's houses and had dinner. It was really lovely.

That's really all the news I can think of for now.