Now, 6 months, 4 houses, 5 weeks of flu/bronchitis, and about 20 boxes of Chockits later, I have come up with a list of 10 things I have become accustomed to and 10 things that still blow my mind. Since it's a special day (and a particularly long post), I've included pictures wherever possible to help prove my point.
So without further ado:
10 Things I Understand, Appreciate, or Am Getting Used To
I get laughed at when I admit it, but I always just thought some black people had way better hair than others. My friends in America either had thin, relaxed hair or big full afros. Both were awesome, but I just assumed the girls in the movies had better hair. I mean, white girls in movies have way better hair than I do... Here in South Africa, I have learned a lot about wigs, moisturizers, relaxers, weaves, and have even gotten to take a trip to a warehouse FULL of hair. I know the difference between dreadlocks, braids, twists, weaves, relaxed, and natural. I am ready for my black baby. She'll have the best hair thanks to all of the patient South African women who have let me stare, ask, touch, and marvel. I envy them their hair. :)
I am impressed by the fact that not a single student has given in to defeat, although I can't even count how many times I've seen them fighting the desire to rip the thing out of the computer and bash it against a wall. Learning to use a mouse when you're 30 and have never been in a room with a computer is a feat. Double points for the 50 year old ladies in my class this week.
Check. Out My. Desk. I am the IT lady here at Zanokhanyo. I have learned so many things, and am getting comfortable exploring and figuring out the things I haven't learned. I've become a website maintainer, and tomorrow (I pray) Aidan is going to make me a server guru as well. I have always been the girl to shamelessly call one of the guys who know everything, so my continuing competence is shocking and somewhat fun. I'm also settling into my role as maintenance man, but what I DON'T do is unclog toilets in the men's bathroom. Everyone draws a line somewhere. I will call Tim.
Some people made me fear that the adjustment to opposite driving would be a challenge, but I'm pleased to report that I've been flawless from day 1 (with the exception of a few Sunday morning mishaps. I do still get a start when I'm walking and driverless cars continue to approach me. :)
It is summer, and this is one of the most beautiful places I've ever lived. (Don't read into that.)
It is a 10 minute drive to gorgeous waves and sandy beaches. I can get used to that!
I like it. It's fast. Instant, I'd say. And you don't have to get rid of the gross gross coffee grounds.
T.O.B. would lose its mind. The glee that I feel pulling off and shamelessly parking the wrong direction in the middle of the sidewalk is unparalleled.
Bread. Yum. Cheap. Need I say more? In case I do, just know that they also make good cheap pastries.
Not that I'd eat those.
You know...
The joy in my workplace...man. I wish you could all be here and experience it. The difference between fresh graduates and first day students is overpowering. I mean, look how happy they are!!
But what's a 6 month update without a few complaints? ;)
10 Things I Refuse to Accept or Appreciate About South Africa
1. "Brown Sugar"
As this picture indicates, South Africa believes that "brown sugar" is granulated sugar mixed with molasses. It's not. It is sticky, brown colored white sugar. And I' m not okay with that.
In case you can't read that, it says (paraphrase) "STOP TRYING TO PRINT IN AMERICAN YOU TWIT! YOUVE BEEN HERE 6 MONTHS! Gracious, get yourself together woman." It says that to me several times a day, on average. You'd think I would learn...
Okay, it's not every day that you see someone walk down the street in that hat. The rest? I'm sure I see it every day. And there are head things that make little sense.
The fashion is ahead of America, actually, so if I can just figure it out, when I visit home I'll be AHEAD of the trends. Wish me luck.
Or, don't. Because I refuse to try. I will never be able to pull off that hat.
I Miss Fall. October used to be my favorite month of the year, but now it's hot and I have gotten sunburned. That's not cool. I mean, it's good because the people aren't cold. But I refuse to acclimate to the messed up seasons.
I have no bills. I feel strange about that. While I enjoy not ever thinking about bills, I don't enjoy having to remember which day my airtime expires or having to key in the codes in order to continue my service. I think I am a contract girl.
I feel weighed down. :) Also, the gates are a fire hazard. Still. I still worry about the fires.
And I'm just adding in, I still don't enjoy being forced to do all of my shopping on Saturday mornings or RIGHT after work. I enjoy being free to do my grocery shopping at 9 pm if that's what works for me.
I don't like having to manually connect the internet every time I turn on my computer. Or come back from standby, as the case tends to be. And when I'm sick or bored, I miss Netflix. There, I said it. Not that I could afford the internet costs associated with live streaming, but that's a whole different story. :)
I just don't feel happy about finding eggs in the bread aisle. I don't feel happy at all. But I try. I am trying.
Road Safe is not a concern here. I've seen more cars explode/break down/fall into pieces in the past 6 months than I can count. Right in front of me. I have decided that inspections are good. I also appreciate some level of zoning because having factories next to houses and doctors working out of garages is really weird to me. But probably good for small business. Maybe I'll reevaluate. It would help if people had websites. :) It's hard to find things
I know, that's a picture of parked cars. But imagine who two cars are supposed to pass each other on this road. Then imagine a detour taking Main Street in Blacksburg and sending them down this road while 40 men with shovels try to pave Main Street. While another 10 lay in the sun. And then imagine how not-smooth that paved road is going to be. What. The. Heck. I don't understand.
Thanks for coming along with me on this journey and for all of your prayers and encouragements. I can't wait to take on the next 6 months!
Other Thoughts:
What is it? Oh, fries and deep fried dough. America isn't worse than anybody else.