Workin Hard

Sometimes during my day, I think...what in the world am I doing here?! And other days I think...where else would I rather be?! Lately, it's been the second. Things have slowed down, the kids are better again, and the people I work with have become even more amazing! Last week was our last week of review before state testing began. We taught hard all week. Thursday morning, the high school had a parade to honor the girls for winning the 5A state basketball championship. Our grade level was invited to watch the parade, which included the band, the mayor, the players, and the coaches. Nothing too exciting, but fun. Friday we had a pep rally. This was more as a thanks for working so hard, do well on the test gathering. Saying it was fun is an understatement. The drum line from the high school came over, performed 5 songs, and the teachers and students danced to the Dougie. Go here to see the real deal presented to you from the Cali Swag District. Here's our version... well, 25 minutes later, I still can't get it to upload. It will come later. As for now, I am on my wear to cheer the Tide into a NIT championship!! Roll Tide!! (It feels SO good to wear red and white today)

Jay Z

I am talking about the rapper. I know you may not agree with me on this one, but I HAVE to talk about it.

I love rap. There, I said it. It's more than just beats, cuss words, and drugs. It's about rappers talking about life as they know it. Jay Z wrote a book called Decoded. In this book, he takes the lyrics to his songs and tells how they apply to his life. It's the best non fiction book I've ever read. He's not my favorite rapper, but I do life him...and yes, it's partly because he's married to Beyonce.

I saw this book advertised on Oprah a few months ago. I really enjoyed Oprah's interview with him. Unlike most of her visitors, she and Jay Z don't have much in common...nor do they agree on some major topics in the black community. I bought the book before I left for South Africa and finished it 12 hours into my trip. I absolutely could not put it down, and I am still talking about it.

Jay Z takes the things that happened in his life, tells you about it, and then takes the songs he wrote that go with his life and tells you about it. As you may, or may not, know Jay Z sold crack to provide for his family after his dad left. (Yes, I know...he could have worked at McDonald's. But he didn't) He describes why and how he got started as a dealer. He tells what he had to do in order to get where he is now. He describes his whole ride to become one of the greatest rappers of my time.

I think I can relate with this book because of the children I am surrounded by daily. I chose to work where I do. And I love it most days, but the reality of it all is that some of the work I do is useless. I believe in my children, I encourage them, but I know I can't change the entire course of their lives. It's a strong possibility that some of the boys I love the most may spend their lives selling drugs trying to make a way for themselves, or because it's the easy thing to do. It's a hard reality to face. Reading this book gave me a new sight to the world I work in. I want to understand as much as I can, and reading this book explains a new reasoning.

**Footnote: I do NOT agree with drug dealers, but I did enjoy this book. Jay Z, you represent hope.

Forever Young

I planned to blog everyday or every 2 days I was in South Africa, but as you can tell...I didn't.

This trip was on the best trips I have taken. It was so relaxing, refreshing, and comforting. Not words I typically use to describe a trip, but those are the perfect words for this trip. Instead of giving you all the blow by blow of everyday, I'll use these words to help me tell you the highlights.
Relaxing-- No one in South Africa is in a hurry...except Americans. :) While we were sitting in the garden at Howard University, where Kate works, the students were chilled out. I didn't see a single person without a smile, in a hurry, or on their phones. (I can't imagine that at UA) The president of SA came to campus on Tuesday. There were maybe 75 people who stopped what they were doing to go to see him get out of the car. And Kate and I were 2 of them. (Once again, I can't imagine President Obama coming to UA. The campus would be crazy!) Tuesday night, Kate cooked dinner for us and sat on the back porch and talked for hours with a constant breeze keeping us cool. Since there is no air conditioner in Kate's apartment, I welcomed this breeze.

Refreshing-- What a change of pace I had, if only for a few days. Everything about SA is different. The restaurants we went to were so different, but so wonderful. Monday night we went to Nourish, a place close to Kate and Lauren's apartment. The atmosphere of this place was so neat. There weren't any walls separating the outside and the inside of the restaurant in the front. (And that's a good thing since there wasn't any AC there) The walls were painted different colors, the tables were clothed with white tablecloths, a Gerber daisy on every table, and pitchers of ice water with fresh lemons. Even the grocery stores were refreshing to see...Woolworth's was SO organized, not too many options, but plenty of food. And everything is so fresh!! On Wednesday night, we ventured to the beach for dinner at Moyo's. **See footnote for story :) Once again, the atmosphere of this place was so neat. Moyo's had huge windows all along the back of the restaurant that were opened so you could smell, hear, and feel the beach. There was live entertainment at this place, too. 3 African dancers performed a few songs. I was amazed.

Comforting-- When you have been away from your best friend for 2 months, comforting is a word you HAVE to use to describe how wonderful it is to be with her :) Kate and I have this bond that is unbreakable. She's an amazing best friend. On Wednesday we went to Howard again. This was my favorite part of the whole trip. We spent the day talking to students about God. I didn't think I was cut out to do that kind of thing. I am a little kid person, and not big kids. We used pictures to get the students talking about themselves and their relationship with God. I was able to meet some students that are already involved in Campus Crusade and they were so nice and welcoming. Tuesday, after spending half the day on campus at Howard, we went to the AIDS Hospice center the girls work at in SA. I met 2 little boys...the reasons this falls into comforting. They have AIDS, and are here because their parents have died. History is about 3 and Spay is about 2. These boys have wonderful personalities. The comforting part is...Kate, Lauren, Alyssa, and Erica LOVE these boys. When we left the place, the boys were so upset we were leaving. That lets you know how much they like having the girls there to play, kiss, photograph, and love on them.

**Footnote about Moyo's: The journey to Moyo's deserves it's own blog, but I have other things I think deserve their own blogs and I don't want you to lose interest in my trip. So I'll make it short and sweet. Mom, Mikey, and Amanda--If you are reading this, stop. You don't want to know what happened. :) We got lost. Big time. And in a dangerous part of town. HA! Leave it to 5 American girls driving around to get to the worst part of town. Somehow we took a wrong turn. There was no turning around. And then we ended up by a port with LOTS of 18-wheelers and no street lights. We finally got out of there, and then once again took a wrong turn. This time we were in the absolute worst part of Durban. Of course, I don't have a clue as to what is going on...until I see Lauren put her purse on the floor and Kate sunk down in the seat. Kate doesn't even look at me, but says, "Megan, put your purse on the floor." My heart started beating quickly. Then the light turned red and we were stopped. Kate is praying the whole time, Alyssa is gripping the steering wheel, Lauren has the bottle of wine ready to smash on someone and I am freaking out. Then the light turns green, we drive off, and laugh. We made it to Moyo's an hour after our reservation...

Day1 and 2

The last 72 hours have been so wonderful. I can't even begin to describe the beauty of South Africa!! It's absolutely wonderful. Not to mention I am reunited with my best friend :) All is good in the world.

The flights to get here were ok. There was a lot, and I mean a lot, of turbulence on the flight from Atlanta to DC. We were delayed leaving DC an hour. So, after a very long flight to get to South Africa, I missed my last flight to actually get to Durban. I was so mad, but it's funny because I was scared of missing my flight. Thanks, God, for showing me how much I am not in control. I finally got a flight to Durban and had the greatest welcome. Kate, Lauren, and the other 2 girls were greeting me with a big smile, a sign, and food :)

We got to their apartment, showered, and crashed...for 2 hours. We left at 3 AM for a SAFARI!! We drove for 3 hours and got there as the sun was coming up. My first sunrise in Africa was over the African savanna. (I'll post pictures when I get back to the US) We spent 12 hours in the game park, touring and looking at animals. We saw lots of zebras, 3 lion cubs hunting buffalo, and a baby rhino nursing. After a long day of flying and driving, I was so ready to get home.

Once we got back to Kate and Lauren's apartment, we showered and crashed one more time. This morning, we slept until 11 30 :) We layed around a while and then got ready. Some of the students at the universities the girls are working at came over for a cook out. It was fun enjoying the African breeze.

So far, here are the top 3 things I love about South Africa:

1. The beauty of the landscape

2. The presence of my best friend

3. The constant reminder of God

Top 3 things I don't like...

1. No air conditioner!!

2. Driving on the wrong side of the car and road!!

3. The fact that I won't be here longer.

I'm bbbbaaacccckkkkkkkkkk....

Ha. Thankfully, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. After a refreshing few days without one of my kids, my class was back to normal.
This weekend my family ventured to Gatlinburg for a family vacation. My brother, Amanda, and Mom went up on Thursday. Prissy, Jason, Kaitlyn, and I followed on Friday. We ate way too much, shopped some, and laughed a lot. I love how much my family loves each other. It helped me to realize that work is not my life (thank goodness!!)

When I returned yesterday, I was walking down the hallway of my house and all the sudden I hear a squeaking noise. So, I turned everything off and I listened again. Calla heard it too. Of course I freaked out and immediately thought there was a bird, squirrel, or... a rat. AH!! I called a pest control company and they met me after school. And it was... a vent in my attic. No animals, no need to freak out.

My spring break starts in less than 72 hours. YAHOO!!! I can't wait to see Kate :)