Izinto zihamba kahle

The welfare has wanted to plan a golf day fundraiser for sometime now and I thought it was a great idea. So, I was the thorn in their side and went with Ron to book a day at our local golf club. Once it was booked, there was no turning back! After a month of hard work, planning, and dedication we hosted our first golf day. It was such a fun day and we had a great turnout. In total, we had 97 golfers and 30 sponsors. We were able to raise a little over R17, 000! Not only did we raise a lot of money, but we also had so many awesome prizes for the golfers. My main push for this golf day was not just for the fundraising, but also to show the welfare that with a little hard work from everyone, we can plan successful events. It was my first time planning something this big so I was a bit nervous about it, but with the help of the golf club and some other folks, all of our questions everything went smoothly. The few hiccups that we did have were minor and were great to learn from. All in all our golf day was a big success!

I did however make myself look like a complete dork though! Early in the golf day the newspaper wanted to come and get a picture of the ECFC staff. Well, they told us to put on hats and make a funny face, so like my mommy taught me, I followed directions! Well I hope you laugh at this picture as much as I did!

I have started teaching and I LOVE it. I have only done it the last two weeks but I have had so much fun. My first week, I taught 12 classes in two days and I never thought teaching could be so exhausting! All of the classes were different classes but two. I have been impressed with how well I have been able to keep a straight face during all most :) of the stuff I have talked about and the funny comments some of the learners make. My goal for teaching is not only to teach these learners, but also create a place where they feel comfortable asking whatever they want and getting the right answers.

Oh I went shoreline angling "fishing" for the first time. Well actually I just watched but it was so cool. I never realized that there was so much that went into fishing. I got to hold a baby shark and thought it wanted a kiss before he went back to the sea!

Life is good and things are looking up :)

Bafana Bafana Unites

Africa Cups of Nations (AFCON) was held here in South Africa this year. The winner of this cup is not only the best team in Africa, but will also represent Africa in The FIFA Confederation Cup in Brazil 2014. To be in the host country for this tournament and not go to a game would have been silly, so several PCV’s got tickets for the quarterfinal game. Several weeks after buying tickets, South Africa qualified for the quarterfinal game. We were stoked! I have never been to a professional soccer game before so this was a perfect way to experience one!

The game was in Durban at the 54,000 people Moses Mabhida Stadium. This game was definitely a nail biter; it was so fun to watch! After full regulation time and 30 minutes over time, South Africa lost to Mali 3-1 in a shoot out. I have never seen and heard so many vuvuzela's! For those of you who are unsure of what a vuvuzela is, it's a long horn that is really loud, annoying, and extremely popular here at the soccer games.

Oh and the wave was so fun to be a part of and I have never seen one work so well! I found it odd that most South Africans call a wave a Mexican wave. To be honest, as much fun as the game was to watch, it was not my favorite part of the night. Being part of the crowd and the excitement was the best part for me. I have never felt such a united feeling in South Africa as I did that night in the stadium. Everyone came together supporting and cheering on their country. We sang the national anthem with the crowd and it was such a cool feeling. It’s hard for me to explain why this was such a cool thing to experience, its like regardless of being a post conflict country it didn’t matter. Everyone was one, altogether, singing their anthem.

Besides of all the fun I am having, I have nothing but good thoughts about 2013. I feel strongly that it is my year here and I can’t wait to really dig in. I have been helping the welfare plan a Golf Day that is finally coming up this weekend. Tomorrow I start teaching Life Orientation at a secondary school by my house. I will be teaching twice a week; 8 classes, grades 8-10. My main focus will be on HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy, and substance abuse. I am also still helping Jules and his wife with some stuff at the crèche and teaching Grassroots Soccer at the primary school by their house. I hope all is well at home and miss you all like crazy!