It's 2:30am. I'm still not completely used to the time change, and I could sleep early...my sleeping pattern is even more whack than it usually is during the school year. I could sleep by 9pm if I wanted, but for the past two nights I've been sleeping pretty late and waking up around 4 hours after. Last night it was because my roommate and I stayed up until 2:30am talking, and tonight, it was because a group of us went clubbing in Roschenbausch to a place called “Tiger Tiger.” Since it's getting late, I'll just give a short bullet list of what my past 2 days have been. These past two days have been better than I could have imagined, and for so many different reasons. From the classes that I'll be taking, to the research I might possibly be doing, to the organization that I'm going to be volunteering/service-learning with, to the dynamic conversations (all the way from “utopias” in modern Israel to living in Central Valley to fartjavascript:void(0)ing and urinal etiquette)
DAY 2 - March 29
Orientation at the Stanford Centre – I'm extremely excited about the classes I'll be taking. A lot of us are struggling with which classes we should take because they ALL sound great. My highlights of the orientation was the safety guy pulling out the tazer and everyone freaking out when he turned it on...BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, when everyone discussed why they chose to study abroad in Cape Town over other Stanford overseas programs. Public service, public health, human rights, self-discovery, integration in the community, etc. It was great listening to everyone's different reasons. Dr. Tim Stanton started the orientation saying that this isn't “Stanford in Cape Town” as it's usually referred to, because if that were the case, there would no use in leaving Stanford. We are IN Cape Town.
Observatory (“Obs”) Tour – A tour of our neighborhood. Local bars, fabric stores, cafes, grocery stores, good jobbing places, etc.
Jogging – A little before sunset, a group of us went jogging around Obs. On the left, a river (I think it's called Lee Becks River?) with a bunch of ducks, and on the right, Devil's peak with the sun behind it and houses it front. It was so beautiful.
Dinner at the house – Our cook, the landlord's wife Lizzy, is BOMB at cooking.
Poetry Reading at a local bar called Touch of Madness – Pretty interesting stuff. Khai read a short poem that he wrote in five minutes called “The Wizard of Obs.” It was about a homeless man named Collin who lives in the neighborhood. It was really insightful and clever. Khai definitely inspired many of us to read an original before we leave. I really want to write and read something before I leave.
DAY 3 - March 30
University of Cape Town Tour – Absolutely beautiful campus (and people too!). The vibe is really cool. Vibrant, exciting, and busy. So many students filling up and socializing in the campus's many common areas (kinda like Tressider except a lot better spatially). We got our ID cards (I look terrible in mine), and we basically are considered UCT students. All of us are planning to join at least one student organization or club team. We're also definitely going to be studying and working there. Really cool atmosphere.
Lunch at a Cafe Chi in Obs – Shared a “Jo Jo” pizza, which consisted of chicken, garlic, basil, and sun-dried tomatoes. Delicious.
Introduction to Service-Learning – One of our professors Janice McMillen gave us an introduction of what service-learning will be like. Based on our passions and interests, we are all getting matched with a community organization to serve them throughout the quarter. I'm pretty sure you'll be hearing me talk a lot about this while I'm here...We're all really excited to be service-learning within the community.
Getting Lost – that's basically it...
Shopping – Went to the fabric store and then grocery store with Viria and Mimi
Dinner – Food was pretty good tonight, but the conversation was even better. It went on for two hours, and we talked about so many random topics. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard during a dinner conversation. Topics included pet peeves, ratemypoop.com, farting, “strategies,” childhood shows, etc. Weird, awkward at times, but really hilarious.
First House Meeting – Claire laid out the house rules, logistics, etc. By the way, Claire is an awesome, compassionate, enthusiastic, and thoughtful RA. She's also from Fresno, CA. Yeah, Central Valley.
Clubbing – a group of us went to Roschenbausch and went clubbing in “Tiger Tiger.” Pretty sick atmosphere. I had a blast.
I'm so thankful to be here. I'm talking with my sister right now, and here's an excerpt of our conversation:
Kat: Don't u love living in another country
Me: yeah i do. i'm really liking the experience so far, and it's so exciting to me that this is only the BEGINNING. i haven't even started my community service, research, or classes--all of which i'm really excited about...
Kat: Doesn't it feel like a dream being there? Cheesy I know, but everyday I was in Rome. Til the last day, I was like ,"I can't believe I'm here"
Me: yeah..it does. especially that at the same time, everyone around you feels kinda the same way.
Kat: It feels like a dream.
Maybe it's because I'm still in NSO, but I'm so excited for this journey. I'm still the “wide-eyed” freshman so I know at times it will be challenging and difficult. But overall....the only difference between this experience and a “dream” is that my eyes are wide open.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Do I look like a suspicious character?
I finally arrived in Cape Town yesterday afternoon at 4:45PM, and right away I saw posters welcoming people coming for the 2010 World Cup. The posters look like something that came straight out of the “Wav’n Flags” music video by K’Naan and David Bisbal. I went through the first security check, and I was told earlier by my RA in Cape Town that I had to say I was here for “vacation” or “holiday.” I said it, but the security man continued to question me. He wanted to know exactly where I would be staying, and shuffling through my Stanford orientation papers, I finally found my address. He looked at me suspiciously because he read the "Stanford Overseas" label over the address, “so, is this for holiday? Or for an education holiday?” Ahh, I think he caught me.
Then I get to customs. The two other Stanford students who were with me, Elaine and Tim, were able to walk right through, showing the man that they had passports (they didn’t even have to open it). But then he stops me to interrogate for a few minutes, asking me tricky questions, and testing me on things that I said previously to see if I was going to answer the same. I told him I was staying with friends more than two times, and then at the end, he casually asked if I was visiting family. “No…friends.” Later, “Did you bring drugs, alcohol, etc.?” “No.” “Did you bring gifts or presents for your friends since you’re visiting?” “No…” I finally passed, and Elaine and Tim were waiting there, laughing in disbelief that I had been stopped when they were able to walk easily through. Maybe I do look suspicious.
Sipho picks us up from the airport and takes us to our home for the next few weeks. It's located in a place called "Observatory." The three houses are lovely and very homey. Everything is connected, which I really like. I live on the second floor, right above the den where everyone hangs out and eats. My roommate is Mimi, who I’ve known since freshman year. She’s sweet and awesome. I knock out for a while, unpack, and take a long shower. I felt like a new person, layers of uncleanliness due to hours of traveling actually came off while I was bathing. Really.
Sunday, March 28, 2010 - Day 1
A group of us walked to a local grocery store called “Pick-and-Pay” a few blocks away, took a train to the Muizemberg Beach, hung out there for a couple of hours, and had an awesome native-South African dinner at the house.
The Muizemberg Beach was absolutely beautiful—dramatic cliff “points” next to the ocean, colorful rows of little buildings, and bright sunshine with a breeze. It was really relaxing; we took pictures and walked around. The boys sat while the girls read “Long Walk to Freedom.”
We have a great group. Everyone’s really friendly, nice, and open to getting to know each other. Several of us have talked about how we want to become friends with locals. One of my friends named Liesl asked a University of Cape Town (UCT) student today after getting her number, “Do you…have friends...from here?” Because we have friends too, and they can meet your friends, and we can all be friends together...?
More than just being comfortable in our Stanford group, we want to meet people from Cape Town, which I think is pretty cool. Like I said, I'm with a great group of people, and I look forward to getting to know them better.
Then I get to customs. The two other Stanford students who were with me, Elaine and Tim, were able to walk right through, showing the man that they had passports (they didn’t even have to open it). But then he stops me to interrogate for a few minutes, asking me tricky questions, and testing me on things that I said previously to see if I was going to answer the same. I told him I was staying with friends more than two times, and then at the end, he casually asked if I was visiting family. “No…friends.” Later, “Did you bring drugs, alcohol, etc.?” “No.” “Did you bring gifts or presents for your friends since you’re visiting?” “No…” I finally passed, and Elaine and Tim were waiting there, laughing in disbelief that I had been stopped when they were able to walk easily through. Maybe I do look suspicious.
Sipho picks us up from the airport and takes us to our home for the next few weeks. It's located in a place called "Observatory." The three houses are lovely and very homey. Everything is connected, which I really like. I live on the second floor, right above the den where everyone hangs out and eats. My roommate is Mimi, who I’ve known since freshman year. She’s sweet and awesome. I knock out for a while, unpack, and take a long shower. I felt like a new person, layers of uncleanliness due to hours of traveling actually came off while I was bathing. Really.
Sunday, March 28, 2010 - Day 1
A group of us walked to a local grocery store called “Pick-and-Pay” a few blocks away, took a train to the Muizemberg Beach, hung out there for a couple of hours, and had an awesome native-South African dinner at the house.
The Muizemberg Beach was absolutely beautiful—dramatic cliff “points” next to the ocean, colorful rows of little buildings, and bright sunshine with a breeze. It was really relaxing; we took pictures and walked around. The boys sat while the girls read “Long Walk to Freedom.”
We have a great group. Everyone’s really friendly, nice, and open to getting to know each other. Several of us have talked about how we want to become friends with locals. One of my friends named Liesl asked a University of Cape Town (UCT) student today after getting her number, “Do you…have friends...from here?” Because we have friends too, and they can meet your friends, and we can all be friends together...?
More than just being comfortable in our Stanford group, we want to meet people from Cape Town, which I think is pretty cool. Like I said, I'm with a great group of people, and I look forward to getting to know them better.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
READY with my camera, SET with my PINK traveling pants, GOing to Cape Town....or not...?
I finished packing ten minutes before I left my house. Typical. I always stay up really late (this time 5am), and wake up really early (7:30am) to "finish" packing. We drove to SFO and found out my flight was delayed an hour. My parents, Josh, Tim, and I sat around and hung out. I talked to Kat on the phone, and had some of her bomb homemade cookies. I said my goodbyes, and it's usually not until I say bye to my family, especially my brothers, does it click that I am going to be gone for a couple months. This is what happened when I left for college.
Gate 95, ten minutes before boarding time, I was ready and set for Cape Town. I took out my phone and did last minute-goodbyes via text messages, voice mails, and phone calls. An announcement was made for everyone, around 300 of us, to go to the opposite side of the gate. I was pretty confused, and almost got hit twice by security personnel pushing tables. Why were they getting out tables? I would later find out why. Confusion, apprehension, and delay defined my next three hours. Carry-on baggage checks, body searches, chemical checks, and questioning of every single person going on the flight. There was a point when around ten security guards ran up the escalator, and later when I would go up the escalator to use the restroom, I would see those same guards (and even more airport personnel) surrounding a man who was handcuffed and sitting on the floor. I wish I could make out what he was saying as he was getting questioned. A girl named Stephanie that I befriended told me she saw all our check-in luggage unloaded from the plane--I think they were being checked again. After my first security check, I looked outside and saw an ambulance. The security told me that this was a "special flight." "Ooh okay," I smiled and calmly replied back. What kind of special were they talking about? The man I sat next to on the flight said it was a "random audit." Yeah, I guess that's pretty random...as long as I get to Cape Town, and in one piece. The safer, the better.
Finally, after a 4-hour delay, my flight finally departed SFO. Fifteen hours didn't seem like fifteen hours. I occupied myself with sleeping, working on my laptop, and watching "My Sister's Keeper" (I cried a few times). The flight was pretty normal for me...I broke something, spilled OJ on myself, and started to feel congested towards the end. A steward went around asking kids if they wanted play-doh; he looked at me and smiled "Would you like play-doh?" I politely smiled and said "no, thank you." (Maybe they moved the child age to 21?)
Like I said, the flight was normal for me.
I'm in Dubai right now and have a couple more hours before I depart for Cape Town. I can't believe I'm going to spend an entire quarter there. Seems like a long time, but it really isn't. When one of the security guards at SFO asked me what I would be doing there, he said I was very fortunate to have parents who are so supportive. I completely agree; I'm blessed, and I can't thank God enough the support system he has given me.
In less than 24 hours, I will see my "home" for these next few months. I can't wait, though I can...because I still have to read over 700 pages of this book that was strongly suggested (or was it required?) I finish before arriving...
:)
Gate 95, ten minutes before boarding time, I was ready and set for Cape Town. I took out my phone and did last minute-goodbyes via text messages, voice mails, and phone calls. An announcement was made for everyone, around 300 of us, to go to the opposite side of the gate. I was pretty confused, and almost got hit twice by security personnel pushing tables. Why were they getting out tables? I would later find out why. Confusion, apprehension, and delay defined my next three hours. Carry-on baggage checks, body searches, chemical checks, and questioning of every single person going on the flight. There was a point when around ten security guards ran up the escalator, and later when I would go up the escalator to use the restroom, I would see those same guards (and even more airport personnel) surrounding a man who was handcuffed and sitting on the floor. I wish I could make out what he was saying as he was getting questioned. A girl named Stephanie that I befriended told me she saw all our check-in luggage unloaded from the plane--I think they were being checked again. After my first security check, I looked outside and saw an ambulance. The security told me that this was a "special flight." "Ooh okay," I smiled and calmly replied back. What kind of special were they talking about? The man I sat next to on the flight said it was a "random audit." Yeah, I guess that's pretty random...as long as I get to Cape Town, and in one piece. The safer, the better.
Finally, after a 4-hour delay, my flight finally departed SFO. Fifteen hours didn't seem like fifteen hours. I occupied myself with sleeping, working on my laptop, and watching "My Sister's Keeper" (I cried a few times). The flight was pretty normal for me...I broke something, spilled OJ on myself, and started to feel congested towards the end. A steward went around asking kids if they wanted play-doh; he looked at me and smiled "Would you like play-doh?" I politely smiled and said "no, thank you." (Maybe they moved the child age to 21?)
Like I said, the flight was normal for me.
I'm in Dubai right now and have a couple more hours before I depart for Cape Town. I can't believe I'm going to spend an entire quarter there. Seems like a long time, but it really isn't. When one of the security guards at SFO asked me what I would be doing there, he said I was very fortunate to have parents who are so supportive. I completely agree; I'm blessed, and I can't thank God enough the support system he has given me.
In less than 24 hours, I will see my "home" for these next few months. I can't wait, though I can...because I still have to read over 700 pages of this book that was strongly suggested (or was it required?) I finish before arriving...
:)
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