Goals and stuff

Okay, so that last post was so mellow dramatic, I think I need to amp it up a bit! Africa is SO much fun!! Yes, I work - A LOT - but I am loving it here. The culture, the lifestyle, the foods, everything is invigorating. And yes- I'm absolutely living it up to the fullest - taking every chance I can, despite occasional fears or hesitations. 

These are a few things that I've done since being in Africa, most of which I will probably never do again, but I can now cross off the list anyway!

-Rode a mechanical bull at a frat party... Stone cold sober. Did pretty well, I might add! I put quite a few rugby boys to shame!

-Had a divine braai (african bbq) in a wild nature reserve on the edge of a cliff with a bunch of gorgeous surfer boys on the southern coast.

-Jumped off said cliff onto the river bank island, in the middle of the night, with only the light from the moon to guide us. Not so sober that time - but it was exhilarating!

-Clapped at a monkey in the tree above me - BAD idea! He turned, hissed, and began coming towards me, ready to attack! Needless to say I was never more thankful for having my running shoes on. Turns out they're not so cute after all!

-Met an Israeli drug dealer. 

-Assisted in the making of a batch of 'baked' brownies for a friend's "going green" birthday party - none of which was consumed by me! (I won't judge, but I also won't participate.)

-Spent one fantastic Sunday afternoon on the beach baking in the sunshine, then walked up to an open-air bar and spent the evening drinking pina coladas with friends and listened to the most awesome Reggae band ever. Total hippie day, it was so divine!

-Successfully learned to drive a stick shift! Hells yeah.

-Watched more surfing competitions than I'd ever thought possible. My cousin is a professional surfer, and he travels the world. Three weeks ago he was in France, Two weeks ago, Bali - and this week he is in the Canary Islands. :)

-Became a vegetarian... again! (I was one for about 8 years - and I recently started again with my cousin, Annie!)

I still want to learn to surf. The rest of these things were never on my to-do list, but just ended up happening... so why not!? :)

Life is so good here. The culture is a friendly one - no one is a stranger, and you see friends everywhere, new or old. The food is incredible! Being a vegetarian is much easier when there are so many colorful things to chose from, and the best fruits and veggies are always in season! Most things are expensive, and you work a lot harder to get what you need and want, but I am VERY blessed and taken care of everywhere I go. I've started making goals!

My goal for October is to get a new phone!

My goal for November is to have a bikini-worthy body!

My goal for December is to get a car! And have my little Mister Oscar moved out here!

My goal for January is to enroll in teaching classes at the nearby Varsity!

All of which I'm working towards and saving up for. So, I have lots of exciting things to look forward to. :)

But for now... I have sales reports due, and schedules to finalize. So back to work I go. 

I really miss my best friends and my daddy.
But I am thankful for being home and making plans.


"For I know the plans I have for you... plans to prosper you, and not to harm you... plans to give you a hope and a future." Jer 29:11

Counting Ships...

My life has changed so much in the past four months. 

Four months ago I quit my (really amazing big-girl) job, packed a few suitcases, and left Memphis, TN. 

Today I woke up hearing the Indian Ocean outside my open window. I made coffee with one sugar and sat on the patio sipping and counting the giant ships waiting to go into the harbor. There were 11 ships in my little patch of sea this morning.

I have been blessed with an amazing job in an amazing company. I get to hire people for in-store promotions for big companies like Coca Cola, Remington, GlaxoSmith Kline, and I work with lots of awesome brands like Aquafresh, Minute Maid, Coke Zero, Fuze Tea... It's been hard work, and it requires a lot - but it's so rewarding to work with people who are so grateful. 

I'm so blessed to live in one of the best parts of South Africa - and every day I see the ocean smiling back at me. I run on the beach, with the sea breeze on my face... There's just something about being on the coast that fills and satisfies my soul. 

This is where I've always wanted to be. With my family - in South Africa - helping people. I've wanted this since I was 16. I did envision it being different in a lot of ways... but I am so content and settled. I feel as though I've grown up so much in the past few months and I know that I've changed a lot. 

Life isn't perfect - even here in my happy place. I can't drive a manual as well as I want - and I don't even have time to practice - nor do I have my own vehicle, so I'm always relying on people for lifts. Not that I really have anywhere to go - because I work from our office at home - but it would be nice to have the freedom that having your own car represents. My car in America was my space, my escape, my own thing that I owned. I miss that feeling of freedom. So many days I'd like to just get in the car and go. But I can't do that here. In America, I had my own place to live (well, not the past 2 years) But here... I know that isn't going to happen for a very long time. First, it's way too expensive to live alone - and second - it's way too dangerous!

I really miss my people: my dad, Serena, Tristan, Travis, and my little dog... I know a dog is an easily replaceable commodity, but not my Mister Oscar. He is my little soul mate - and I can feel how much he needs me.

I'm not singing these days. I feel like I wouldn't know where or how to even start writing again. But I can feel a song inside me... and it isn't too far off.  I'm still taking pictures, but not serious ones. Not good ones. And I'm still working out... I just lack motivation this week. 

Today is a very dreary rainy day - and while the birds sit singing their happy songs in the trees, I sit here counting the ships... and I'm content. Just.... content. :)

Exciting stories are coming soon - promise.