The day you knew would arrive is here--you'll survive.

Again, points for anyone who can identify the origin of the post title. Of course, then you'll know that choice is a little inappropriate, though you might be able to argue that I was "obviously going through some adolescent phase." (Hint: one of Lisa's favorite musicals)

So, today is my last full day in the states. No, this doesn't make the Boro seem better, but it does make me excited/nostalgic about many things. So, I've decided to publish a few of my thoughts over the past few weeks. Hopefully, this will be updated during the plane rides tomorrow, so be sure to check back if you're a blog-checker.

1. Gmail looks funny in Turkish.
2. I really didn't trust the driving skills US taxi drivers--who knew you could actually get in a wreck in a taxi--in Rome!
3. Traveling makes you tired. This would have been a good thought a few months ago when I signed up for my fifth interim.
4. Interim trips are fun, no matter how old you are.
5. I don't know how to say 1:30pm in South Africa. Is it 13:30?
6. I had forgotten that the proper South African response to "thank you" is "pleasure."
7. I'm not worried about not knowing where I will live. Should I be worried about this?
8. Packing never gets done in the amount of time you plan. Probably because you're updating your blog, dummy.
9. A 12 hour flight is long, even when your best friends are along for the ride. No, this doesn't mean you should flip out since you now have a 12 hour flight by yourself.
10. EVERYONE knows someone in South Africa. Seriously. Test this theory. I think there are only 2 degrees of separation for most people.
11. Rotarians are incredibly kind people.
12. My birthday is in the second week I'm in Jo'burg. And I thought the first day of classes at home was bad. At least it's not the superbowl this year.
13. People in Johannesburg won't watch the superbowl!
14. People in Johannesburg won't watch the Oscars. :(
15. I love care packages (you knew that was coming).
16. My guitar will soon look as if it's been everywhere from its new collection of stickers. Hopefully, it will have actually been most of those places.
17. Turkish food tastes a lot like African food, believe it or not.
18. Turkey looks a lot like California.
19. I will probably really miss driving.
20. Wherever you are on Feb. 23, I've got you beat--the Royal Yacht Club in Cape Town
21. Nelson Mandela WILL be my best friend, even if Abbott's good vibes alone get me there.
22. I love visitors! A trip to Jo'burg costs anywhere from $1400-2000 and then lodging is free! I'm serious about that. Check Delta and South African Air
23. I will miss sushi.
24. I'm going to be a master-knitter! I have a new book and all kinds of time. Same goes for the guitar.
25. I'm going to miss you! Email, Skype, or write soon!

I'll get into Jo'burg on Sunday morning and I'll update you then. Until then, Happy Trails!

Ode to a Greecian...urn? Maybe not.

So today we're here in Crete. We have visited Istanbul, Izmir, Kusadasai, Bergama; ancient Ephesus, Colossae, Laodicea, Pergamom, and Hierapolis in Turkey. Turkey is in Asia, which I didn't actually realize since part is in Europe, so I have now seen 4 continents...only 3 to go (if I really want to include Antarctica). In Greece, we have seen Kavalla, Veria, and Thessaloniki; and ancient Beroea, Philipi, and Thessaloniki in Greece proper.

Crete consists of staying Heraklion and making a couple of day trips, today to the Palace Knossos, the St. Titus basilica and the St. Catherine's basilica.

Loving every minute of it!! I'll update when I can. Love to you all from far across the seas.

The sojourn begins

We will dispense with the song lyric post titles (because it's getting old and because--believe it or not--I don't know that many) as we begin the new year and the new journey. I hope that holidays were lovely for all of you, as they were for me, and that the new year has been a good one in its first two days.

Tomorrow, I will leave the 'Boro for Birmingham. I have several get-togethers with folks that I haven't yet said goodbye to, and then I will head to Ashley's house for the night before leaving at 4:40 the next morning. We will get to the airport around 5:15, and then the sojourn begins--this time to Turkey, Greece, and Italy, in the footprints of Paul. We will go everywhere that St. Paul goes on his sojourn in the book of Acts, including ancient Ephesus, Smyrna, Laodicea, Corinth, Athens, and Rome. I will return to the States on Feb. 17. The picture below is not our exact route (I stole it from a bike trip map), but it is a pretty good replica. If you really want to know the exact locations, go get out your handy dandy Bible.

Once I return, I have only a week before I leave for Johannesburg. I have received my visa (thank goodness! and with little time to spare) and have only to wait on my plane reservations now. I should have an overnight in Paris to see Farley, and then arrive in Jo'burg on the morning of Jan. 28. Lynne and Peter, my Rotary sponsors, will be at the airport to meet me. They are delightful people, and I'm sure that they will take good care of me, so no worries! I am excited to meet them and to begin my time in Africa--FINALLY!!

So, as you go about the first week of the new year, my travels have begun--what a great way to start the year! I hope that yours is as exciting as mine is shaping up to be! Pax!

Hallelujah Chorus

Well, as is tradition in my family, I've been listening to A LOT of classical Christmas music, while listening to my brother and sister whine in the background. My favorite is, of course, Handel's Messiah. But yesterday, we got to add something to the chorus of rejoicing--I sent off my visa form! That's right, all is turned in, and we are only awaiting the return of my passport! Just thought a quick update was in order. Merry Christmas and all that!

Who Says You Can't Go Home?

Well, apparently you can go home, and I have done just that. I rolled into the Boro yesterday around 4 and have been going, going, going since. My mother and I went to book group and discussed Life of Pi, which is a great story that I highly recommend and we ate vegetable soup and banana pudding. This morning I have cleaned while my sweet mother has a migraine, and then I went to the dentist--no cavities, aren't you proud?!

Now to answer all of your questions:

1. Have you heard from Wits? Do you really want to know the answer to that question?! No, not yet, but I should get a letter sometime this week and then we'll do the visa.

2. What are you doing now that you're home? Um, have you ever been to Murfreesboro? Oh, well then I understand why you might think there's something to do. Actually, I'm going to photo-document the city, including the geographical center of TN, and the courthouse. The world's largest cedar bucket burned down, so I will have an extra 5 minutes on my hands for something...Otherwise, I'll be studying for the GRE and moving my room.

3. Moving your room? Yes, sadly, I am finally losing my room. Carl will get my room with adjoining bath, and I will get the new guest bedroom, which I get to help decorate, so I'm happy. Change is good.

4. Anything else? Well, a wedding and church service in Birmingham, a trip to see Skye and antique/junk shop, Christmas with the family, Christmas music with the episcopal church, the GRE, and then a trip to Europe. No biggie. All in a day's work (or a month in this case).

5. When are you actually leaving? We're shooting for Jan. 25. Cross your fingers, say an ave, do a visa dance, whatever floats your boat. Once the visa is done, plane tickets will be ordered, and all will be well.

Be well, and I'll update you on any excitement on the scholarship front. If you're in Birmingham, know that I miss you already. If you're elsewhere, know that I already missed you. Be in touch!

Disclaimer for this post: I don't actually dislike Murfreesboro, I'm just not a native, so its charm is more grunge to me, but it's an ok place. Just don't tell my parents I said that. We're still milking the "you made me move after my freshman year and I'm permanently scarred" situation.

La Vie Boheme

Well, as in any bohemian life, traveling hither and yon, there are bound to be ups and downs, and now it's time for the ups! I have been ok'd by Wits on a provisional status which will allow for me to apply through SAQA and then my degree status will be determined by the school. I don't care about the degree, I just want to go. So, things are well! Now I just have to get written confirmation of that, and we'll be set to get visa, etc. Whew!

I visited my sponsoring Rotary club today, and they were absolutely delightful! We heard from the #2 Secret Service agent assigned to LBJ during the JFK assassination--definitely interesting! Mr. Nash, my sponsor here, was sweet, and I gave out business cards and had a good time. They're such a delightful group of folks. If you ever get asked to join the Birmingham-East Rotary, do so!

Finally, I wanted to publicly support a really good cause that the United Methodist Church and several other organizations have entered into. It's called the Nothing but Nets Campaign and I will add it to my list of favorite sites. The organization raises money to buy mosquito nets for families in Africa. In case you were unaware, malaria, NOT AIDS, is the number 1 killer in most of Africa (someone dies every 30 seconds) and it is TOTALLY PREVENTABLE and TOTALLY TREATABLE. That's right, if you or I caught malaria, we would be sick with flu-like symptoms, but in the end, we would be just fine. Amazing. So, please do check out the site. A donation of $10 will provide a net for 4 people. And you say there's nothing you can do...

So, if you call me in the next few days, expect excited Lisa! Seriously, I'm totally keyed-up. Finally!

"Slow down, you're moving too fast..."

I knew there would be foibles in the process, but I certainly never expected that the next one would come within 12 hours of my last post. I received an email from Wits asking if I had applied through the South African Qualifications Authority, a group which evaluates transcripts to determine whether or not an applicant is suitable for a certain program. From what I gather, this is much like our "Highly Qualified" status. Anyway, the process takes around 6 months. 6 MONTHS???!!!???!!!

Ok, I'm not freaking out. I called my Rotary coordinator and he is taking care of it, we hope. Anyway, I think lost might have been better than might not happen. So say a little prayer for me and for the folks processing my application. Send positive thoughts. Meditate day and night. Whatever works for you--I could use it.

On the other hand, my friend Jon David got his acceptance, so I know I'll have a friend in Cape Town. We talked about travel plans and going to Mozambique, and I think we're both sufficiently excited...much fun lies ahead!

Thank Goodness!

Whew! We had a close call. On last Tues., Nov. 8, I called the Wits education department to check in on my application. Since housing applications are due Nov. 30 and cannot be processed until school acceptance is made, I thought I'd give it a little extra check-up, just in case. Glad I did! Turns out, my application had been misplaced! You can imagine my reaction. I immediately contacted my Rotary sponsors, who took care of everything. I had an email in my inbox this morning telling me that my application had been located and that I should hear something from Wits by Thursday. Thank goodness! I know that this is just one of many foibles that will likely occur on the route to getting this all set up, but I'm surely glad that this first one is over.

Things here are well. This weekend, Katie, my mother, and our friend from church came to visit BSC. Katie and Mommy stayed for the weekend, and we did some visiting with various and sundry friends. I am working on my last three weeks at BSC, trying to get everything put together as far as recruited students goes. Tonight is my last night of work at the BR (which isn't saying much since I can't remember the last time I was there). As for scholarship news, I have gotten my Rotary business cards, which are really neat. I think they did a great job. I'm working on my final doctor visits, international drivers license, TB test, etc. Plenty to do, and as always not much time in which to do it. I officially leave Birmingham Dec. 4 (which is only a month from when I leave for Turkey, Greece, and Rome!). More fun times ahead.

Photographs and Memories

My mother might be the only person who catches that song reference, so a cookie for you if you get it before she does.

Just thought you might like to see some pictures of my last trip!


The Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, where I spent an hour waiting for an appointment and had a lovely talk with a bicycle officer.

The Mississippi River in New Orleans.

Abbott and me a little blurry at Cafe du Monde.

Me getting my fortune read--bones, cards, and palm!

Traveling Through

I know that this post has been a long time coming. I have finished the Southeast Tour, and I have to say that the last two weekends were blockbusters. Two weekends ago, I traveled with my mother and brother to Florence, AL, where we lived until I was eight. We watched the University of North Alabama homecoming parade (complete with new lions Leo III and Una) with friends from long ago and then headed to an Italian restaurant for a 7-year catch-up. It was wonderful to see such good friends again and to get to hang out with my family. After lunch, we toured campus with its new fountains and lion enclosure, drove past our old school, church, and home, and finished off the day with Rainbow Sherbet at Trowbriges. What a deal! Carl was very patient, listening to all of our reminiscing and only reminding us a few times that he was only one year old when we left, so no, he didn't remember that, and no, he didn't really care. We had a lovely time.

Last week was Fall Break at BSC, and I decided to make a work trip into a fun trip and visit Natalie in Jackson and Abbott in New Orleans. The drive was broken up by church visits along the way to prosthelytize for BSC and long phone conversations with my mother and Carrie. Natalie has a cute little apartment that she has obviously worked very hard to decorate. As she says "apparently, I have a very defined style." I also got to see some college friends of my parents with their now-almost-college-aged daughters. We hung out with her friend Joan on Wednesday night and then I got on the road again to NOLA.

I found NOLA after a 3-4 hour drive in the driving rain. To give you some idea of how hard it was raining, I drove about 60 the entire way, and I don't drive 60 (sorry, Mommy). Abbott lives on St. Charles Ave. in the middle of Uptown, and she took me to a cute little French bistro down the street. We then spent the rest of the afternoon catching up and watching Grey's. Jocelyn, her 2nd grade sister, had sent Flat Stanley to live with Abbott for a while as a school project, so we showed Flat Stanley the city--French Quarter, the levee, the zoo, and Tulane Law School, complete with beignets at Cafe du Monde. It was a delightful touristy day. That evening, we put Flat Stanley to bed early and then headed to the "Barrister's Ball," commonly known as the Law School Prom. It was held at the New Orleans Aquarium and was absolutely a blast. I got to meet Abbott's law school friends and we played until the morning.

When we finally awoke the next morning, I traveled back to Jackson, just in time for some QT with Natalie and then a little blues and BBQ at Natalie's favorite Blues cafe. It was a blast, and we met some very colorful characters. Let's just say that if you ever find a book titled Mississippi Queen written by one Ironing Board Sam, you ought to buy it--it will be a great read! Sam did eventually leave us and his autobiography so that we could hear a wonderful blues band. The next morning I went to church with Natalie and Joan, we took naps, and then I headed back home with a stop in Tuscaloosa at the Maharaja of India with Skye, who regaled me with stories of Michigan.

So, the Southeast Tour is complete with only a few small side-trips left to make. I have only a month left at my BSC job, and then I'll be heading to Murfreesboro for a while. So, if you're in Birmingham, be sure to catch me now. Still no news on the application, though I've made progress in getting my pre-departure information ready. Kelly is checking on everything again this week, and I am emailing and calling as much as possible. I'm almost ready!

Fill it Up Again

And now it's time for me to gush about the Indigo Girls! This week's installment of the Southeast Tour included a trip to Atlanta to see Emily and Amy at the Tabernacle. The venue is beautiful! It is an old church/opera house with stained glass windows, two balconies, and huge organ pipes behind the stage. The opener was Roman Candle, which was just okay, in my opinion; however, the Girls certainly made up for that!!

First, we were really, really close. Probably only 5 rows of standing people from the front. When they sang "Get Out the Map," Skye and I screamed at "Joni left for South Africa," and they looked at us! Yes, I'm a little starstruck, but it was really a wonderful concert. Highlights included "Shame on You," "Fly Away," "Fill it Up Again," and "Gallileo." We met up with the others afterward for coffee, and it was a generally fun trip.

Another highlight of this weekend was the birth of my first college friend's baby!! It's hard to imagine that someone with whom I've had sleepovers in the past two years is now married with a baby. It's also hard to imagine that I will always be an adult to that child. But she is beautiful, and we are all very thankful.

On the scholarship front, we are still waiting for an acceptance letter...I am working on finding things to give away to Rotarians, so if you have any ideas, let me know. I am thinking of calling the Birmingham Chamber, Vulcan, and Sloss. Maybe I'll have some "Moons over Homewood" to share with Johannesburg!

Freedom Train

I officially finished Long Walk to Freedom yesterday, and I am not quite sure what to do with myself now, frankly. A book that takes you more than two months to read sort of gets under your skin. While I attempt to find another book to fill the void (Top picks right now include Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott, Things Fall Apart by Achebe, and Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. Feel free to give suggestions.), please enjoy these last few pearls of wisdom from Nelson.

Speaking of the celebration after his inauguration:

The day was symbolized for me by the playing of our two national anthems,and
the vision of whites singing "Nkosi Sikelel iAfrica" and blacks singing "Die Stem," the old anthem of the republic. Although that day neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem they once despised, they would soon know the words by heart.

Speaking of the struggle:

The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in my country and my people. All of us will spend many years, if not generations, recovering from that profound hurt. But the decades of oppression and brutality had another, unintended, effect, and that was that it produced the Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the Chief Luthulis, the Yusuf Dadoos, the Bram Fischers, the Robert Sobukwes of our time--men of such extraofdinary courage, wisdom and generosity that their like may never again be known again. Perhaps it requires such great depths of oppression to create such heights of character.

And some random quotable quotes:

"People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."

"Freedom is indivisible; the chains on any one of my people were the chains on all of them, the chains on all of my people were the chains on me."

"To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."

Oh, and the best find of the week: Nelson is a Methodist. I think I'll just visit every church in the city, and surely I'll find him somewhere...

On the Road Again

The second weekend of the Southeast Tour was a certain success. It began with a visit from Skye and a delightful tea party with the gang (we still need a good name) and ended with a trip to Bonifay to see Uncle Maston and Aunt Eula Lee.

Uncle Maston and Aunt Eula Lee have just finished an addition to their new house, which belonged to their friends the Evanses. This only makes sense because at 90, that's just what you do. You renovate. Of course. I think the funniest comment of the weekend was "It sure was good we sold that other house, financially. Our retirement ran out seven years ago--who thought we'd be around this long?!" Uncle Maston still looks great and Aunt Eula Lee is doing pretty well herself. For 90, they're both considerably spry. We all enjoyed the visit, minus the Tivoli Inn stay (there are only 2 other choices, and frankly they're not choices).

Pictures will soon come.

Next week's update: This Friday's jaunt to Atlanta for the Indigo Girls concert!!

Tallahassee Lassie

Emmy will definitely be a little sick to her stomach when she reads the post title, but it's the best I could come up with. There aren't many songs with "Tallahassee" as the subject. Oh, well. If you have a better suggestion (and I'm sure they abound), make a comment.

First, for the Africa update. I am going tomorrow for my pre-departure physical and to talk with my doctor about shots, etc. It looks like I only need Hep A and B boosters, an MMR booster, and possibly a Rabies shot. I will also have to figure out what malaria medication to take. Oh, Malarone, how I have missed you for 8 months! Still no word on the application, but we're keeping tabs. I'll let you know when I know something.

Second, just a note about the last post. I promise I won't post my politics very often, but I was really gripped by that story. Those of you who know me well are thinking, "we'll hear the politics bit again," and you're probably right, but I'll try to keep it to a minimum.

Now for the important stuff--pictures from this weekend!!


I went to visit Emmy in Tallahassee, which was a great kick-off to my Southeast Tour pre-departure visits. I plan to see as many people as possible while I can. We went to Wakulla Springs, which is the beginning of the Wakulla River and a relative freshwater swamp. We saw Sewannee cooters (this picture), American Anhingas (next picture) and many other water birds, and even a few alligators. It really was a blast. That and a trip to the Melting Pot made the visit quite the treat! I even got some quality bed buddy time with Emmy's new pooch, Buddy. He's quite the charmer, though he did have an unfortunate run-in with some smelly something while I was there. We still love him, though.

On the way home, I stopped at the Peanut Hut to buy some boiled peanuts. I called Granddaddy just to let him know, and we both laughed about "Gandaddy, I wike peanuts." I listened to a book on CD (Sons of Fortune, which I highly recommend), and generally enjoyed the ride. I hope that all of my Southeast Tour goes as well. Indigo Girls, you're next, then on to Flo-town.

The job is still going exceedingly well, and I'm enjoying feeling as if I'm in the professional world for a little while. That should be all I need, too. Just a little while.

Robben Island and Guantanamo Bay

I will suspend the cheesy song post titles for a day to let you in on a little of my morning's moral crisis.

Last night in Long Walk to Freedom (what else?), Nelson and his fellow prisoners were transferred to Robben Island, South Africa's Guantanamo-esque prison. Robben Island, at that time, was the prison where one was sent if the government wanted you far away from civilization (and the hopes of being remembered by one's fellow fighters at home). When Mandela was transferred to RobbenIsland, he had a 5-year sentence. Anyone remember how long he spent at Robben Island? Maybe you should re-read the title of his book if you're thinking it was 5 years. 28 years. The government had enacted legislation which allowed for extension of a prisoner's term without levying an additional charge against the prisoner (sound familiar?). In the portion of the book which I am now reading, I was horrified to read that Mandela and his fellow prisoners were put in a cell with no light or other ornamentation and only a porthole from which to receive light and air. This porthole also served the purpose of allowing the guards to urinate on the prisoners. I was disgusted and saddened at this (and other) brutal treatment of another human being.

So thankful was I that I live in a place where things like this do not occur. Unfortunately, this morning on my drive to work, I was listening to NPR, as I always do, and heard a story called "Guantanamo Through a Prisoner's Eyes." It was narrated by Moazzam Begg, a former detainee at Guantanamo and several other U.S. detention centers, who was never formally charged with a crime, but still imprisoned and tortured for almost two years. Please read the article here. You can also read an exerpt of his book about the ordeal on the same page. It tells of the physical and psychological torture used against him by U.S. forces. I won't tell you the results so that you will actually read the article, but let me just say that it strikes me as sickeningly reminiscent of Mandela's situation.

Now, for a moment to clarify. I am not entirely against the war on terror. I have some serious problems with the way it is handled, but I do realize that there is a very real threat that must be dealt with in some way. I just keep being reminded of my mother telling me that the thing that distinguishes the U.S. from other countries is the way we treat people. What makes us above the terrorists is that we don't stoop to the same kind of torture and mistreatment of our fellow human beings, even if they are terrorists. I think that we, like the apartheid regime in South Africa, have lost sight of the fact that though our enemies are our enemies, and though we may find ther views and actions incredibly distasteful, they are also our brothers and sisters. To believe that they are worth nothing is to believe that we ourselves are worth nothing.

I pray that we might all, myself included, be able to find this kind of an understanding--that human life is sacred, no matter whose life.

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

I received a message from Katy in Jo'burg that she had submitted my application on Thursday. Now the waiting really begins...as if I haven't done enough of that already. It's as if everyone I see at BSC or BR or anywhere else says "I thought you were off to Africa already." So did I.

I also found that I will have to put down an $800 "repatriation deposit" for my visa. Good lord. The words of my dad keep ringing in my ears: "This scholarship is going to cost me an arm and a leg." I hope not. So far, the running total is a car, a repatriation deposit, doctors' appointments, and travel money. This should all be under $5000, but that's still a good deal. You can only live once, though. Might as well do it right.

That's all for an update. Hope you are all doing well and enjoying your new (for many of you post-collegiate) lives, as I am mine. I find that I am so fortunate to have wonderful friends who love and support me and an incredible family that loves me. Which reminds me, I ought to give a public thanks to my sister for dealing with me during a recent meltdown. I realized that I did not have enough of my medicine to make it through the week, which would cause me to be sick at some point. So, I called home and let them know that I needed the RX filled and sent to me through the mail. At this point, I began to think, "If I can't even take care of myself in Birmingham, how can I expect to take care of myself in AFRICA?!" My kind, sweet sister responds, "You know, Lisa, some days you leave your umbrella in your car and it's raining, you leave your homework in your locker, and you forget your kneepads." Sage. I am beginning to consider the possibility that she was right and that maybe I will make it. Maybe.

Anticipation

I liked this picture of all of us after Chris' concert. It was really great to see him after a while as well as to watch him onstage doing what he loves. It's always nice to see your friends and their passions, though it is strange to ask for a signed headshot of a friend...If I figure out how to post a video, I'll post some from the concert. Pictured here are (left-right): my sister's best friend, Chris, me, Carl, Katie. Aren't we cute? And isn't my sister a babe? Sick. When did that happen?!

This week was much easier than last as far as work is concerned. I enjoyed the first week of class at BSC, and though it was odd not to be starting class, too, it was strangely comforting to be in my office.

Ashley has informed me that she sent my application Friday via EBSCO's DHL service. So, now all we do is wait. I am certainly nervous about it, thus the title of this post. See, though I have the money for the scholarship, there is no requirement that the school accept me. It would be strange for them not to, granted, but still, it makes me nervous. So I wait. Call and distract me, would you? It will likely be a month or so until I find anything out. Don't worry, I'll let you know.

The highlight of my week was, undoubtedly, lunch on Friday with my mentor who has just recovered from ovarian cancer. Terry was bubbly and healthy-looking, and just a delight. We talked school and Africa and politics and boys and everything. It was so nice to see her after more than 6 months and not being sure whether or not I would see her again. While graduation and all its festivities were certainly not the same without her, getting to have lunch with a totally healthy and happy Terry was a much greater gift.

So I promised Nelson wisdom, and here it is. I'm almost to the first set of pictures in the book! Yay! I have a serious personal rule prohibiting me from viewing the pictures until I read that far in the book. Anyway, here goes. I particularly appreciated these quotes...

Once I had passed Humansdorp, the forests became denser and for the first time in my life I saw wild elephants and baboons. A large baboon crossed the road in front of me and I stopped the car. He stood and stared at me as intently as if he were a Special Branch detective. It was ironic that I, an African, was seeing the Africa of storybooks and legend for the first time. Such a beautiful land, I thought, and all of it out of reach, owned by whites and untouchable for a black man. I could no more choose to live in such beauty than run for Parliament.

This one is especially moving when read in close succession with the next...

While I was walking in the city one day, I noticed a white woman in the gutter gnawing on some fish bones.[...]I knew of course that there were poor whites, whites who were every bit as poor as Africans, but one rarely saw them. I was used to seeing black beggars on the street, and it startled me to see a white one. While I normally did not give to African beggars, I felt the urge to give this woman money. In that moment I realized the tricks that apartheid plays on one, for the everyday travails that afflict Africans are accepted as a matter of course, while my heart immediately went out to this bedraggled woman. In South Africa, to be poor and black was normal, to be poor and white was a tragedy.

The similarity of these passages and my own experience in Birmingham is almost uncomfortable to me. To drive past a black man walking down 8th Ave. N. while on my way to the college is absolutely normal. While I might lock my doors, I would otherwise have no reaction. To see a white man walking down the road would be almost unheard of. In the South, to be poor and black is entirely natural. And while this is not state-mandated status, it certainly plays tricks on the mind, exactly as Mandela describes.

Thanks for reading this novel. More Mandela to follow.

The storm is passing over

Well, I hope that if you talked to me sometime this week you did it today. If not, I apologize, because I was probably frazzled and uptight and generally not fun. This week has been a 60 hour work week, which I will not do again for a long time. On the upside, I have started my new, full-time job at BSC, and I love it. I am working in Church Relations doing recruitment (basically an admissions counselor for Methodist students) and enjoying being back on campus, though the faculty/staff sticker on my car stresses me out even more than the alumni sticker, if you can imagine that. If you are around campus, come by and see me! I love to have visitors, and my office is adorable, if I do say so myself. Of course, there are Africa remembrances all over it. Also, if you're a Chi Omega, there are a few owls living there now that are looking for a new home...

So, to add stress to my week, I worked on finishing my application, which I have now done, minus the R300 money order, which will come in on Monday. I was not aware that you couldn't get an international money order from just any bank, but to avoid that problem yourself, go to your own bank. Unfortunately for me, that means a trip to TN...fortunately for me, I was going home anyway. More about that later. So, I have sent the paperwork to Ryan through his aunt, and the actual application will go to Katy on Thursday. Who knew that EBSCO interdepartmental mail could be so helpful?! Then, Katy will take it to Wits, and it will all be done from this end...then the waiting begins.

Now that my week from hell is almost over, I am looking forward to going home to see a friend of mine in concert. My friend Chris Young, from Governor's School in 11th grade, just won the Nashville Star competition, which is basically American Idol gone country. He is playing a show at MTSU, and since I have an in there, I am going with my whole family. We're all really proud of Chris. He is a really good guy and has so much talent. If you are interested in seeing more about him, please visit his website, www.chrisyoungcountry.com. His newest release, "Drinking Me Lonely," is about the most beautiful thing I have heard in a long time, and he wrote it himself. They grow up so fast!

I should take this moment to saying thanks to my friends for helping me to get through this stressful bit of time. Whether calling to check on me or sending a special blue jar opener, I really appreciate it. You can have no idea how much I needed a pick-me-up. Thanks! Now that I have more time, look for Nelson wisdom soon to come. Oh, and the auction will be in November, so start saving your money for Lisa's tea with Nelson!

When words don't suffice.

I was thinking about my journey a little more today and thought that I'd post some of my favorite pictures from my January trip to Africa (Mozambique, Botswana, and Zimbabwe). Enjoy!

This picture is of myself with (from left) Maia, Anina, and Samuel watching the boys in our group and older orphans playing basketball in the yard. Our group worked at the Cambine Methodist Church-sponsored orphanage in Cambine, Mozambique doing laundry, helping with the children, and mostly playing.

The Application Process

Since the wireless is finally up and running in my apartment, I can now update you on what has been going on with my Rotary planning, though there is not a lot to tell. I have received an application to the Postgraduate School of Humanities in which I intend to pursue a Master's in Education, Democratic Citizenship, and Human Rights. This program will deal with racial inclusion in the classroom as well as socializing children in a democratic society using the classroom. In other words, as my friend Kate says, my name is "in the fine print of that degree." It's actually exactly what I would have planned for myself had I just been taking random courses at Wits. You can check out more information on the degree itself at this address http://www.wits.ac.za/education/medcourses.html (click on the Education, Democratic Citizenship, and Human Rights link). Now, I just have to apply and be accepted to the program.

Many of you have asked what this degree would present me with professionally. Almost any degree that I would receive at Wits in my field (education policy) would be invalid in the United States; however, it will be of great use to me to have taken courses at Wits when applying for graduate school in policy. While I will leave Wits with a Masters, it is the experience and not the degree that will be of use to me in the long run.

So, the last week has been filled with stressing about how to get the application, how many copies I should send through unreliable international mail, and when it should be sent. That is, until Ryan told me that his aunt was coming to visit at the end of August and would be willing to hand-deliver my application to Ryan who would then hand-deliver it to the Faculty of Humanities. This kid is a godsend. Thank goodness for good Rotary contacts! This development has left me with a much lower degree of stress while I'm preparing the application.

Now, I am beginning to find gifts from Birmingham to give at Rotary speeches as well as flags from the Birmingham East Rotary Club. The countdown is still about 6 months, but I am more and more excited as the days wear on. I am both excited and terrified, emotions which prove to be a great combination, actually.

For some interesting current information on South African study-abroad, please visit my friend Johnny's blog, which describes his current studies in Cape Town. Johnny is also a Birmingham-Southern student, though he has not yet graduated, and his recent pictures show Robben Island (where Mandela was imprisoned), the Cape of Good Hope, and Cape Town itself. It's a great site, and I have added it to links on the right side of this page.

More updates to come and Nelson's wisdom to impart (once I get some more reading done!). Peace to you all!