Checklist: Item #6 . . . Cappuccinos

Another item on my list of things to do before I move home was to go to the restaurant Cappuccinos. I can't tell you how amazing the food and atmosphere is and us girls had such a fun time celebrating Kacy's birthday there yesterday!

Wildfire

Winter here is cold and very, very dry. The air constantly smells of burning and ash rains from the sky as farmers and property owners everywhere take the opportunity to burn their fields. It's odd to me as wildfires back at home are considered dangerous and unpredictable, but you often see huge blazes that have been set and no one is watching them, making sure they don't spread.

Yesterday, a wildfire was dangerously close to our property. It came all the way down our driveway, but other than turning on some sprinklers there isn't much else we could do, no one to call. Makes me miss 911! Fortunately, the fire skirted our grass and eventually burned itself out.

Small Visitors

One of the reasons I love living so close together as a community [and something I'm going to miss more than I can say] is that our friend's children often run around the property popping in for a visit, grabbing whatever food or lipstick is within reach and running out again.

This is Zoe, Zach and Anneke's little girl. She loves coming over and will often stay till her mother comes and finds her. Don't you love her outfit?? I think she was supposed to be Thumbalina.

The End of an Era

This weekend I was hit with the reality that my friend and roommate, Hayley, will be leaving for home soon. Since I'm leaving soon too, it's been really nice to have her in the same transition period as me, but for some reason it only started hitting me these last few days that we're leaving each other as well!

Hay has become a part of my family and we've managed to click on a deep level. She's been an amazing roommate. She always handles the dishes and makes the coffee in the morning. We can talk long into the night after the lights are turned off and laugh with each other all day long.

Fortunately, she's from Oregon so I know we'll see each other again. In the meantime, I'm struggling to deal with the change. I'm excited to move home, but losing Hayley as a daily part of my life will be difficult.

Thank you, Hayley, for the memories, for the laughter and the conversation, for loving me for who I am and for always being there for me. I'm going to miss you.

Checklist: Item #5 . . . Dentist

So one important item on my list before I move back to the States was to visit the Dentist. I don't have Dental Insurance at home so I hadn't been for a basic cleaning and checkup for a few years. I wanted to go here, because it's so much cheaper.

So with no insurance or anything my visit cost about $60!

Checklist: Item #4 . . . Living Art

Yes, that's right, I just got my second tattoo! My friend Anneke is a great artist and after telling her my idea of what I wanted she came up with a great sketch that was perfect!

Both of my tattoos come from my life verse . . .

"Let the Beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him
for He shields him all day long and the one the Lord loves
rests between His shoulders."

Deut 33:12

The word "Beloved" is on my left wrist and this is my new one . . .

Overwhelmed

Three weeks from today, I will find myself on a plane leaving South Africa. I am filled with random thoughts and feelings. Sorrow for everything and everyone I will miss. Excitement for the future and to see my family and friends at home again. Nervousness for such a huge life change.

These next few weeks will be spent organizing, packing, and spending as much time as possible with my friends here, soaking in their presence and telling stories of the past few years together. It's such a different view from the other side. I'm used to watching people come and go from here, but now that I'm the one leaving I find myself off kilter and unable to come up with the right words.

How do you say goodbye to people you love so much when you have no idea when you'll meet again?

Roadside Stop

I love stopping at roadside vendors! It's so much fun to see what kind of random things are being sold. It's pretty common here to have fruit and veggie stands on the side of the road and this time of year you can find amazing deals on oranges.

There wasn't too much to offer at this particular stop, but the scenery was gorgeous with all the beautiful flowers. I think I would have stopped for that alone!

Checklist: Item #3 . . . Graskop

Yesterday, Hayley and I took the day and drove up to Graskop, a local touristy town where they have some amazing shops. We also drove to a beautiful view point and had a lot of fun snatching photos. To finish the day we wound up at a yummy restaurant called 'Perry's Bridge' where the food is to die for.

Checklist: Item #2 . . . Reptile Park

Item #2 on my checklist was to visit the Reptile Park. I have no idea why I wanted to go as snakes, crocodiles, lizards, and spiders all used to freak me out. I come from the Northwest of America where all we have are garden snakes and maybe some rattlers in the deep mountains or deserts to Africa where living with the possibility of dangerous, venomous snakes is a given.

I remember that the first few months I lived here, I wouldn't go near bushes or high grass and walking outside at night when I couldn't see where I was stepping would give me a panic attack. Now I rarely even think about it, accepting the possibility of running into a snake as highly unlikely, but possible with a grace I never thought to achieve.

The park was fascinating and shiver-inducing. I posted too many photos, but I just couldn't decide so enjoy!

[Black Mamba]




[Green Mamba]


[Puff Adder-Snake that has caused the most deaths in Africa]










[Nile Crocodile]

[These peacocks were just wandering around]

Checklist: Item #1 . . . Kruger Park

I'm slowly working my way through a check list of things I'd like to do before I leave for the States so this week Hayley and I woke up early on Tuesday and headed for Kruger Park which opens at 6AM.

We caught the beautiful sunrise and had a great time of laughter and conversation!

Arielle

Arielle is the precocious child of some friends of mine who live next door to me. I love their kids and Arielle especially though she can be a handful to babysit! She's extremely social and loves to come knocking at my door yelling "Brittany! I'm knocking on your door!"

Every time I see these photos, I smile. She had 'asked' me to take some photos of her then proceeded to chomp down on her food while staring intently into the lens.

Photoshoot with David Song

This last Monday, I had a lot of fun taking photos of my friend David Song while he performed at a local pub called The Da Loose Mongoose. He's an amazing artist and I love listening to him play!