Little did she know...

like hearing the voices of my family -from little to big- in all of their talking-over-each-other glory like skyping into my pal's wedding -and having a good enough connection to see the ENTIRE thing like having a pool at my house to jump in on the way to and from here or there for a great reprieve from the summer heat like kids having a cooperative, let's-not-push-liz's-buttons day like a working fan like Uncle Philly to be so handy and helpful and smiling like chatting to pals after forever like rainy mornings like great music that worships God for who he is like the beautiful gift of laughter -and people to laugh WITH and NEAR ;)  like having friends who are really FRIENDS, even after just 2 1/2 months like being safe every day despite the stats that are totally against me like great discussions/venting/gentle reminders it was a second holiday spent away from family. and it wasnt' that i really missed celebrating the holiday (besides missing out on...

roommate: we may or may not have been living together for too long in too small of a space.  you can judge for yourself. I PROMISE that we don't consult each other when it comes to clothing or accessories. ;)  No, but, really. Sarah is great and I couldn't have picked a better roommate to share our tiny flat if I had had the opportunity.  God is good :)  cheese. we even have the same cheeser smile. oh help. driving: i do it.  also, Mama Lyn gave me a brilliant paper on the "rules of the road" for SA. huh.lare. and spot on. :)  1. Never indicate -this will give away your next move. A real South African never uses them. 2. Under no circumstance should you leave a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, this space will be filled by at least 2 taxis and a BMW, putting you in an even more dangerous situation. Tail-gating is a national sport! 3. The faster you drive through a red light, the smaller the chanc...

...has gone bye bye with some of the hospice kids who got to go home today. this is Happy for them and Sad for me. they have been here the entire time that i have been, so it's strange to think of them Not Being Here anymore. so many laughs and teasing and hugs that i will miss now that they are gone :P i have to confess that if i am allowed to have favorites around here, getting to know and invest in the hospice kids has been my Favorite Thing.  my other Favorite Thing is going on roommate adventures. sarah and i hit up Pretoria's two extremes: the city square and market (full of bustle and noise and people and taxis), and the botanical gardens (quiet, people picnicking, nature, somebody singing "brown-eyed girl"  -a strange removal from the city just kilometers away). we met up with (make that, hitched a ride with) one of her Swiss friends who is here for work as well. some day, i'll post about Adventures with Sarah, but for now, ...

What is it exactly that goes on in the office at random hours of the day?  wonder no longer checking out SA's most eligible bachelors Q and A time School planz.... in the which we pretend we are organized teachers. ha. harassing Martha hahahaha i MEAN. encouraging her and building her up ;)  Next top models, right here.  But really, 90 some "dresses" made out of pillow cases???? A little bit of an excessive donation....  we may or may not have gotten yelled at for laughing too loud. ;)