Gardening

My grandpa had a green thumb.  He grew all sorts of things when they lived up on the hill: veggies, fruits, trees, flowers, and everything in between.  I wish I had that same gifting. I love flowers, and I'd love to grow my own veggies & herbs.

In the spring I bought some Lantana and Black Eyed Susans.  The Black Eyed Susan has grown like crazy and the Lantana has been a pain... well, more of an itch.  Yep, I'm one of the few individuals who breaks out in a rash if I touch the plant.  That makes pruning real fun.

However, the bigger accomplishment is a little flower that has sprouted from a seed.  That's right friends, I planted SEEDs and amazingly enough...I didn't kill them (yet).  The little plant has a fair amount of greenery and five or six little flowers.

For me, it's the simple things in life that bring me great joy.  Like walking out of my apartment and seeing my little potted garden and the most amazing little flowers that have grown from seeds planted in the dirt.  Amazing.

Last Week in South Africa! :/

The last week was filled with lots of wonderful moments and it was the first time in weeks that all 143 students were back together!

Gerard's house where we had class

Monday: 

After class the academic staff went to the Mount Nelson hotel for High Tea! What a wonderful time!

 

Lori, me, and Mallory enjoying our tea and delicious treats (sweet and savory)

Our terrace overlooked the fountain and the grounds

Mallory taking a dive in the fountain

I became the holder of stuff :)

The academic staff (& Lori who we were happy to have!)

The Mount Nelson (from the backside)

The grounds were incredible.

After dinner I met up with some students at Bombay Bicycle. It's a fun restaurant that specializes both in ambiance and local South African cuisine.

Claire, Karishma, Michelle, and me

The chairs were swings hung from the ceiling!

So fun!

Although we didn't sit here for dinner; we got to snap a picture and sit as we waited for our taxi!

The taxi back was packed (21 people!) yikes! But it meant a cheap fare!

Wednesday: Final township celebration

All 143 students and staff headed back to the township for a final celebration. There were performances by both the global lead(ers) and the people from Sun City.  We also had a chance to visit with our family one last time. Each group was partnered with a soup mom or other family during our week.  Ms. Veronica and her family was our South African family for the week.

Emma, Kelly, Emily, Ms. Veronica, Anna Claire, me, and Elena

So sad about the shadow on Samatha's face. These are two of the young women I connected with throughout the week.  Baby Kelly is named after a former Global Leader.  Kaylee and Samantha are both extremely smart and I hope the best for them in their futures!

Thursday:

As we encouraged the students to think more about their transition back home, we did a poverty simulation to help them better understand poverty in the US. 

Friday: 

The reading rebels came and visited with us during class. The program (in Sun City) is supported by Global Lead. It targets students who are in gangs/fighting and hopes to turn them into productive members of society by giving them money in exchange for reading a book a month.  That evening I did some shopping and had dinner at the V&A waterfront.

Last amazing sunset

Friday night was then spent grading blue books!

Saturday: Old Biscuit Mill

Back to Old Biscuit Mill! Delicious latte!

If I haven't talked about the Chocolatire and the delectable homemade chocolate ice cream...there are no words for JUST how good it is! They would even pour chocolate shell on top. Yumm.

Claire, Haley, and me 

I talked everyone into ice cream. They didn't regret their decisions!

I was sad to say goodbye to Old Biscuit Mill, however, I'm sure all the delicious treats contributed to bit of extra weight I brought back with me from Cape Town ;)

Sunday, Sunday...hmmm, hmmm. (Kirstenbosh) (Week 3)

Sunday before week three I went to Kirstenbosh gardens with Tiffany.  Here are some pictures from the gardens...remember it is winter here, so although we had a beautiful day, I didn't see many flowers, but LOTS of fauna. The land was donated by Cecil Rhodes the prime minister of Cape Town to the people in 1895, the gardens opened in 1913.  Kirstenbosh is the oldest botanical garden in South Africa.

R40 (or $4.65) Students of SA, get in even cheaper 

The group (minus Tiffany) who went on Sunday afternoon (they brought their lunches for a picnic)!

The view of Cape Town

There were lots of big grassy areas to just sit & enjoy

This is a tree that grows upside down (and it's hallow on the inside)

Every Sunday night we have a group dinner with all the students. This is our academic team:

Montgomery, Christina, and Tiffany

Mallory, me, and Chase

The third week was service in the township of Sir Lowry's pass, particularly the Sun City area.  The township is divided into five or six areas (from million dollar home area in the mountains to the area we served in which was poverty stricken).  The combination of the history of townships in South Africa and the extreme poverty makes it a challenging experience.  I wrestled with my personal responsibility to those in need (in my home town, in America, and around the world), as well as my responsibility to the students as they experience poverty (in any form, some for the first time).

When our large mercedes van pulled into the impoverished area, the children came running in droves. The excitement on their faces was both contagious and disconcerting.  Although many seemed excited at our arrival, others in the community were not pleased with our presence.  The range of emotions ran through me as I watched our students interact with the families in the community.  Even now as I reflect back on last week, I'm still making meaning for myself.  I'm left with more questions than answers, and since the complexity of poverty and oppression has now easy answers, I will sit in the discomfort and wrestle with emotions, solutions, and inequity of it all.

Walking through Nature!

When I arrived in Portland, I created a list of things I wanted to see/do. Not having done many touristy things in Portland, the Rose Garden was on the list. The Garden overlooks downtown Portland and is filled with ... roses. ;) It's beautiful, especially March through June.

There are rows and rows and rows of flowers, it's amazing! It was a beautiful day as well, a nice 87 degrees with a cool breeze.

Leaving my mom to wander in the Rose Garden, my sister and I headed to Forest Park. I found this cute little trail I wanted to explore. The trail followed a creek/river through the park. It was a nice hike. And when I say hike, a more accurate statement would be a walk through nature...yet still something I enjoy!

Right or left, which way to choose?

What a beautiful trail! Too bad I chose a cotton t-shirt this day. It was a little warm, especially considering we practically ran the trail back to the car. Long story... the short version, the sun was setting, mom had been left wandering, spooky stone house on the trail, and creepy men. Needless to say we didn't want to be on the trail when the sun set completely.

On the 4th we headed to Multnomah Falls. Back in March, Matt, Sarah, and I tried to hike it. However, with the freezing water, it would have been nearly impossible to get to the top. Going back in July, I realized just how difficult it would have been. The hike is a mile and a half, almost straight up hill (switchbacks). With the icy conditions in March, it would have been disastrous. With great weather, my sister and I made it to the top. It was somewhat disappointing, however, because the view from the bottom and bridge is better than the one at the top. But, now I can say I've done it! :)

We found this fun branch on a tree. It was begging to be swung from...only it was a bit out of reach. But it makes for a fun picture! :)

Here's a picture from the middle of the hike. The river in the background is the Columbia, and the land on the other side...Washington state.

I would include pictures from the top, but like I mentioned earlier, it was sadly disappointing. The time with my sister was, however, enjoyable and we have many fun memories from the hike(s).