Dreaming with my eyes wide open

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.