Hey folks. Sorry, I’ve been remiss in updating the journal. Here’s what’s up:
My main excuse for not updating the blog: Summer is officially here in SD, meaning CRAZY lightning storms – lightning storms that are not to be messed with. This, in turn, means limited internet or even power. The things I take for granted in the States…
So yeah, lightning struck hostel some weeks back and melted the magic stick on the roof that gives us internet (sometimes). Ever since, the internet has been pretty unreliable / completely off.
Anywho, as I move into my last week of term three, I realize that I’ve finished IB1. Woah. I’ve been here a year? This is all still news to me. While it feels like I just got here, I’ve already finished half of my time at Waterford, and likely, half of my time in Swaziland (though with all of these siSwati lessons, it would be a waste to not come back and visit every once in a while, hey?). A note to all of the incoming IB1s that read my blog: it goes FAST. Be ready.
So what have I been up to for the past month and a half? After going back and reading through my last post, I see that there’s a lot of ground to cover... although a lot of it is boring school stuff. I finished exams and wrote a bunch of internal assessment work that counts towards my final mark in English, Music, and Maths… but y’all don’t want to hear about that. I got my final grades for term, including exam grades, and I’m happy with them, etc etc.
On a more interesting topic, I was lucky enough to celebrate BOTH of the major US holidays (Halloween and Thanksgiving) in these past two months.. woo woo! For Halloween I was invited by Algerian/American friends Amel and Zohra (I’m sure I’ve mentioned them before) to celebrate with a friend of a friend of a friend of a parent… or something like that… basically, an American family that lives in Swaziland that had a Halloween party.
Oh, and I should mention that it was a Halloween party for the family’s children and their friends, who were all about six-ish.
Regardless, it was great. First of all, those of you who know me know that I love playing with children.. so I pretty much just ate a bunch of candy and then pretended to be a monster (I hope no prospective colleges are reading this…) while the kids chased me around. To make things better, they had American candy. Which was pretty much the bees knees. Because those of you who know me also know that I have a crazy sweet tooth (Mom says I used to refuse to eat my vegetables when I was a kid, but would eat candy off the sidewalk if I could get away with it).
So essentially I just got sugar high off of Laffy Taffy and Resee’s Peanut Butter Cups, and then ran around the garden with a bunch of children until I collapsed. I’m s mature college student.
For Thanksgiving, I was lucky enough to get THREE celebrations:
- The art teacher Ms. Patel invited the American students to her house for some home made pumpkin pie and ice cream. Whattup.
- The American Ambassador to Swaziland invited American Waterford students and about 70 peace corps volunteers to his house for a potluck Thanksgiving dinner
- Amel and Zohra’s parents came down to Swaziland from South Africa and made a delicious Thanksgiving dinner for a small group.
Needless to say, I gained about 5 pounds (or should I say, 2.2kgs) this past week. So worth it.
And while this isn’t much of an elegant transition, Thanksgiving, and hell, just this time of year, has had me thinking a lot about two years ago. This year I celebrated my two year falling-off-a-cliff anniversary in Swaziland. And for some reason, it seemed especially significant this year. Perhaps its because I’m in such a different place, or because I’ve come a long way, or even because my doc said I could start contact sports after two years (rugby hint hint)… I just felt truly, especially blessed this past month. I owe so many of you so much, and you all know you have my eternal thanks.
This whole fall thing was at the forefront of my mind as I watched the IB2s graduate from IB and leave Swaziland, because I realized that I was supposed to be part of that graduating class. It’s been a strange feeling, and I can’t help but wonder how incredibly different my experience would have been if I came here when I was intended to.
Still, I’m incredibly happy to be here now, and while it sounds cheesy, everything worked out for the best. The extra year I spent at home helped me to mature in so many ways, and I feel like I’ve clicked so well with the people that are in my year group now at Waterford. It really has beneficial for me to come later, and I wouldn’t take anything back.
Anyways.. that’s my sentimental rant.
Continuing on a serious note, I was upset to find in my community service last week that one of the children that I took care of, Linhle, passed away after weeks of illness. For those of you who may not know, in my community service at Waterford I go to the government hospital and spend some time taking care of the abandoned children of Ward 8. Every week we work with two children, Linhle and Ncolisi, who are both severely mentally and physically handicapped.
I was struck by Linhle’s passing, mostly because I felt as though, after a year, I was finally developing a very basic relationship with him. While he didn’t speak, it became evident after some time that he was becoming more comfortable around me and the other volunteers. The year saw a change, from uncertain and apprehensive gazing in my direction, to cries of glee and recognition as the Waterford students walked into the Ward. There would be times in his final weeks where I would be holding him and he would reach his arm out, feeling around until he firmly grasped one of my fingers. Needless to say, I felt as though I was finally making some progress with Linhle, which made his passing all the more upsetting.
To end on a somewhat happier note, I promised you all pictures of tango, as well as my latest prank endeavor. Check it out:
Stephen (Wales) and Zethu (Swaziland) in rehearsal.
Dancing with my lovely tango partner Ingrid (Norway)
Ruddy and Zethu
Sebastian (Germany) and Anne Caroline (USA)
Malibongwe (Swaziland) and Sofia (USA)
To the pranks! -
Looks harmless, but each of the 126 cups here is filled to the brim with water. Took about 20 mins to set up but was an absolute disaster for Leo to clean.
Success!
Leo's swift retaliation: Wrapping my mattress in 200m plastic wrap. Yes, that's the length of two football feilds.
Since we’ve all moved into our new rooms for next year, I’m not sure how to keep up the pranks with Leo (since I don’t have his key anymore). Knowing our friendship, we’ll find a way.
So, hopefully the insatiable desire for my blog posts has been fulfilled, at least until I get home. Flying out in one week, then its home for the holidays! Looking forward to seeing everyone again :)
Lots of Love
Eli
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