Start of the World Cup
Day 5 June 11th
Vuvuzelas (I think that is how you spell it) are a staple at a soccer match in South Africa and all I have heard for the past few days. Constant blowing of these trumpet looking horns. Pulling up to the orphanage on Friday all I saw were red vuvuzelas parading around the yard. The children had been given vuvuzelas for the celebration of the world cup. Fridays lessons were dedicated to the world cup and getting ready for our parade we had planned for later in the day. For my kids we made hats and painted noodle necklaces with the South African colors. This was quite a process because “threading” skills are not something they have acquired yet. We also made a banner to hold up. I decided that the kids could paint their hands and make handprints on the banner. They loved everything about this. Painting their hands, pressing their hands down and licking the paint from their hands. I have yet to find something that the kids wont put in their mouth. Nevertheless, I think my class looked the best for our parade throughout the township. Volunteers are normally never allowed to walk in the township but of course the world cup is a special occasion so we were allowed to for the parade. This was an absolutely breath taking experience for me and the children. The kids are also not allowed to leave the orphanage except for church on some occasions. The kids were wide-eyed and didn’t know what to think. My class who I can never calm down didn’t make a peep and wouldn’t let go of my hand, which is a first. Slowly as the shock wore off the vuvuzelas started to sound. For most of the kids the vuvuzelas, which are about two feet long, are more then have the size of the children. To see them hold/ drag these things along is hilarious. We proceeded to walk around the township and onto the main road and back.
I later came into Cape Town for the opening ceremony and the first game. Pure madness. People everywhere, on top of cars, hanging out of windows and packed into every bar in site. Long street during world cup is apparently equivalent to that famous street in New Orleans during Marti Gra. We ended up in a bar called Mama Africas for the South Africa and Mexico game. Again pure madness. I almost went deaf when SA scored their first goal due to the vuvuzelas blown less then an inch away from my ear. The atmosphere is magical. Capetown has been more then welcoming. I had a man at the bar ask me if I was scared coming to South Africa because of the media hype about safety. I told him I was a bit skeptical but obviously it was not going to stop me from coming. He proceed to tell me that he understands it is a big city and things happen but South Africa wants to share their country and their story with the world. I am about to watch the England US game with some Americans, a girl from England and a couple of Kiwis.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Day 3 & 4
Day 3 & 4
The past two days have been my first two days of teaching. I have up until this point never understood why anyone would want to be a teacher. I now realize the how the one tiny glimpse of promise can outshine all of the naughty chairs, no-no-nos and what the heck are you doings?! This morning was difficult. The physical activity I had planned for the children was an obstacle course which included a balancing section, throwing section, a jumping section and ending with a grand finale of sliding down the elephants trunk, the slide on the play ground. I excitedly anticipated watching this relay race because this obstacle course included everything I loved as a child. I could be entertained for hours seeing how many jumps I could get in a row or showing my dad how I could catch a football. My kids were so uninterested they didn’t even participate. This crushed my confidence after losing their attention and the upper hand. Never the less the light at the end of the tunnel came with my one on one time with each kid. It is apparent that the lack of individual time the children have effects their behavior and creates the outrageous acts to grab attention. When I was able to sit down with each of my kids and carefully watch and help them spell and write their names I felt a sense of accomplishment that I have never fully experienced before. Of course I have felt accomplished when I receive and A on a paper or completed a goal I have set for myself. But never have a felt such an emotion of joy brought on by the smallest child by their tiny little half moon smile. I completely get it. The small indication you are connecting with the children is what drives each and every ounce of energy used to put on a happy face when things aren’t going the way you planned.
The past two days have been my first two days of teaching. I have up until this point never understood why anyone would want to be a teacher. I now realize the how the one tiny glimpse of promise can outshine all of the naughty chairs, no-no-nos and what the heck are you doings?! This morning was difficult. The physical activity I had planned for the children was an obstacle course which included a balancing section, throwing section, a jumping section and ending with a grand finale of sliding down the elephants trunk, the slide on the play ground. I excitedly anticipated watching this relay race because this obstacle course included everything I loved as a child. I could be entertained for hours seeing how many jumps I could get in a row or showing my dad how I could catch a football. My kids were so uninterested they didn’t even participate. This crushed my confidence after losing their attention and the upper hand. Never the less the light at the end of the tunnel came with my one on one time with each kid. It is apparent that the lack of individual time the children have effects their behavior and creates the outrageous acts to grab attention. When I was able to sit down with each of my kids and carefully watch and help them spell and write their names I felt a sense of accomplishment that I have never fully experienced before. Of course I have felt accomplished when I receive and A on a paper or completed a goal I have set for myself. But never have a felt such an emotion of joy brought on by the smallest child by their tiny little half moon smile. I completely get it. The small indication you are connecting with the children is what drives each and every ounce of energy used to put on a happy face when things aren’t going the way you planned.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Cape Town
Day 1 & 2: June 6th, 7th
Holy moly I am in South Africa! Honestly it still has not hit me yet, I think I am still in a state of shock. Yesterday I had only slept one hour on the red eye from London to Joeburg and due to my sleep deprivation I was not acting like a normal, functioning human being. (AKA No one was home.) Cape Town itself does not look anything like I thought it would look like. Obviously I pictured a desert with zebras eating grass and antelope prancing around a waterhole with a huge elephant waving it’s trunk. Cape Town, from what I have seen looks like it could fit right in America, nothing too out of the ordinary. Except for the townships, where I will be working. Driving out of the airport all along the highway is a township with an estimated 2 million people living in it. This is also where the orphanage I will be working in is. They literally are living in shacks. It was quite shocking driving by and I have yet to even go in. More about the townships to come after I go tomorrow.
I was dropped off at the flat I will be living in for the next two weeks. Typical apartment three rooms, a kitchen, living room and two bathrooms. We overlook a picturesque harbor to the south and have a stunning mountain range to the north. I don’t really remember anything else that happened on the first day because everything went right over my head, like I said (No one was home.) I went to bed at around eight o’clock while everyone else went out for drinks, typical Allyson right?
Today was training day and information overload. I found out I will be teaching 3-4 year olds for the two weeks and I am told they are the hardest bunch to teach. Wonderful. I have no teaching experience except for throwing some tennis balls at kid’s rackets and hoping they bounce off the strings. This should be interesting. Our themes for the rest of the month is teaching about plants and grow. Later on in the week I am dressing up like a flower, I can’t wait for that. Seriously. We also attempted learned some of their language today, it is call xshosa. The x is a clicking sound. OMG they actually click, so cool! We learned to say hi, good morning, what is your name etc. My favorite word is ndiyavuyaukubona which is glad to see you. Not to say I am an expert after my 30 min. lesson on xshosa but I think it is a lot easier then Chinese because you can sound out the word. What a concept!
Elle, you will be proud to know I cried yesterday. This may be one of hardest things I have challenged myself with. I am halfway around the world and I am living with people I have met for a few hours. I am completely out of my element. To be honest I said to myself, “What were you thinking?” But the more I hear about the children and the more I realized the type of impact I am capable of I feel more confident and like I might survive these too weeks.
Holy moly I am in South Africa! Honestly it still has not hit me yet, I think I am still in a state of shock. Yesterday I had only slept one hour on the red eye from London to Joeburg and due to my sleep deprivation I was not acting like a normal, functioning human being. (AKA No one was home.) Cape Town itself does not look anything like I thought it would look like. Obviously I pictured a desert with zebras eating grass and antelope prancing around a waterhole with a huge elephant waving it’s trunk. Cape Town, from what I have seen looks like it could fit right in America, nothing too out of the ordinary. Except for the townships, where I will be working. Driving out of the airport all along the highway is a township with an estimated 2 million people living in it. This is also where the orphanage I will be working in is. They literally are living in shacks. It was quite shocking driving by and I have yet to even go in. More about the townships to come after I go tomorrow.
I was dropped off at the flat I will be living in for the next two weeks. Typical apartment three rooms, a kitchen, living room and two bathrooms. We overlook a picturesque harbor to the south and have a stunning mountain range to the north. I don’t really remember anything else that happened on the first day because everything went right over my head, like I said (No one was home.) I went to bed at around eight o’clock while everyone else went out for drinks, typical Allyson right?
Today was training day and information overload. I found out I will be teaching 3-4 year olds for the two weeks and I am told they are the hardest bunch to teach. Wonderful. I have no teaching experience except for throwing some tennis balls at kid’s rackets and hoping they bounce off the strings. This should be interesting. Our themes for the rest of the month is teaching about plants and grow. Later on in the week I am dressing up like a flower, I can’t wait for that. Seriously. We also attempted learned some of their language today, it is call xshosa. The x is a clicking sound. OMG they actually click, so cool! We learned to say hi, good morning, what is your name etc. My favorite word is ndiyavuyaukubona which is glad to see you. Not to say I am an expert after my 30 min. lesson on xshosa but I think it is a lot easier then Chinese because you can sound out the word. What a concept!
Elle, you will be proud to know I cried yesterday. This may be one of hardest things I have challenged myself with. I am halfway around the world and I am living with people I have met for a few hours. I am completely out of my element. To be honest I said to myself, “What were you thinking?” But the more I hear about the children and the more I realized the type of impact I am capable of I feel more confident and like I might survive these too weeks.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Vancouver
Today was my first official day in Vancouver for the Olympics! Yesterday I was asked if I was an athlete and I was soo tempted to pretend like I was. Instead of lying to the security officer I preceded to tell him I was here to intern with Coke. He said "NO WAY! Can I have your autograph?!" (More of a reaction I expected if I told him I was an athlete) He was oddly obsessed with Coke and forced me after I awkwardly giggled singing his notepad... Anyways, this city is amazing! I can not wait to explore more. There are so many asian here I fit right in! The townhouse I am staying is located in "Kits" which apparently used to be where all of the uneducated hippies moved to but now is a very expensive place to live. I am situated right in between two streets with a ton of shops and restaurants in the cutest row of houses. The only work I have done so far is stocking the Coke drinks into the coolers. Pretty strenuous work for the biceps. Tomorrow I am on a mission to find the difference between Coke Zero and Diet Coke. I find it funny I do not drink any soda... I am told that will change in the next month. Now time to relax with my bottle of wine, which i legally purchased for myself and watch some tv...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
my current obbsession
Polaroids...
I can not stop playing with the idea of polaroid pictures. I recently got my hands on a new version of photoshop and created this while my roomies told me to stop bothering them so they can be real college students and do homework. Oh I only wonder what things I can create in my ridiculous amount of free time...
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