Adventures in DaniLand is Moving!

I had to remove Internet Explorer from my computer and am now using Safari. The change was going wonderfully, until I learned that Safari does not support blogger.com. Grrr! I found a way to sneak on, but it's not as efficient and I am unable to add pictures. For a year in South Africa, this simply won't suffice. So it is with a heavy heart that I sign up with a new blog site. However, I like to think of it as a new adventure- a new blog!

I have decided to go with WordPress...because that's the first one google showed me. It also appears to work well. My web address is danilandadventures.wordpress.com Look for my first post in the new year!!

Blizzard 2009

This past weekend I ventured to NYC to meet up with my camp friends who live in the surrounding areas. I got a greyhound (to my utter dismay, Bolt was sold out) first thing Friday morning and arrived in the big city just before noon. I quickly met up (by fate alone) with Kaitlin who had come in from Connecticut. Kaitlin and I wandered (somewhat aimlessly) around Port Authority before we realized we were in the wrong building to meet, Lisa. Thankfully Lisa (being from Jersey City) was so well versed in navigating the big city and we met up soon enough. The three of us trekked to Bay Ridge to meet up with Paula. We would be staying at her place for the night. After dropping our stuff and receiving the grand tour of Paula's "cozy" city apartment, we ventured out in search of food. 

It was a firsts of many for our young Kaitlin so we reveled in introducing her to subway transportation, crowded streets, lots of walking, and of course big city rats! Paula mapped out a number of shops and restaurants for us to try and everything was delicious, fun and unique to her neighborhood. After ending the night with a truly amazing italian meal (complete with dessert!) we waddled back to Paula's to watch Love Actually. This is truly one of my very favorite movies of all time. The actors are wonderful, the stories are touching, and the love is tangible. This movie was also another "first" for Kaitlin to check off her list.

On Saturday (though still seemingly full) we went out for brunch. Continuing with the theme, the food was delicious and the company spectacular. We somehow managed to shove every last bit of food into our expanding tummies before heading back into the cold. Speaking of cold, the impending snow storm was beginning to rear its ugly head. Snow was accumulating, sidewalks were getting slippery and the temperature was dropping. We gathered our things and headed for the trains. Kaitlin would head back to CT, Paula to a party in another part of the city, and Lisa and I would go to her place in JC. 

I said my first real goodbyes in a subway station as Paula and Kaitlin went one way, and Lisa and I the other. I'm not very good at goodbyes. I try to remember that (especially with technology nowadays) I'm never completely out of touch with anyone. Furthermore, I am so grateful to have these people in my life to share my adventures with and come home to..where I know we will pick up right where we left off.

With the snow bearing down relentlessly Lisa and I made a few stops in Times Square and then in JC for storm provisions (which consisted of food and drink). In the comfort and warmth of her home we settled in to brave the storm. I learned that my bus for the following morning was cancelled...as was every bus AFTER that. After many phone calls, weather updates, and texting, I surrendered myself to another day in the big city. Asside from missing work, I wasn't upset about this at all. Lisa is wonderful company and I've developed a fondness for Jersey City and her home. If I was stranded in NYC, I couldn't think of a better place...she also feeds me really well.

Lisa and I watched Elf while we snacked and drank hot chocolate while the "Blizzard of 2009" bore down on us. The weather/news tracking the storm and Will Ferrel kept us plenty entertained. 

The city slowly came back to life on Sunday. The roads were plowed and the sun even came out to check on things every now and then. We spent the morning watching TV, baking, and setting out her christmas decorations (so she's a little behind-don't judge!). The place was looking festive in no time and we decided to venture into the city. I had never been to New York City in the winter and longed to see the tree in all its glory: following a snow storm! Lisa, always accommodating to her guests, led the way. We wandered around the city (dodging massive puddles and slush mounds) stopping here and there to check out the random festivities. The streets were abnormally uncrowded due to the big bad blizzard. How convenient for us! The tree was gorgeous, though not nearly as captivating as you might expect. Still, I got my photo and checked "Rockefeller in winter" off my to-do list.

Afterwards, we met up with Trish for dinner. Trish had just gotten off work and agreed to meet up with us at The Coffee Shop. Again, fabulous food. The Coffee Shop is actually a bar, and a pretty funky one at that. We sat for a while chatting and eating. I was psyched that Trish was willing and able to meet up with us. Since she had been working all weekend (and recently returned from London and Paris!) I hadn't expected to see her. My circle of camp friends are very near and dear to my heart. Since most of them live so far from me, the times I get to see them are cherished. Even though there were countless others that I did not see, I was especially grateful to see the ladies that I did before leaving.

Bound and Rebound

My life is picking up speed at January 7th (and my departure for South Africa) draws near. Preparing for the holidays as kept me considerably busy but I have managed to squeeze in a few adventures this month.

December kicked off with a weekend at my friend Lindsay's in South Salem, CT. I took a bus from Boston to Danbury where Lindsay and her little man picked me up. The rest of the weekend was spent in utter relaxation. We cooked (and subsequently ATE) great food, watched TV, googled just about everything we could think of, laughed pretty much non-stop and entertained her adorable little babe. The weekend was everything I needed it to be. On sunday we drove to New Hampshire together. Lindsay was visiting her parents for the week so we coincided my stay with her visit so she would have company for the long ride. 3+ hours with a baby, tons of equipment and a dog that could easily be mistaken for a dinosaur is no small task. Crammed and chaotic as it was, we had a great time playing car games, eating oreos and counting Christmas Trees on passing cars. We were up to 53 when we reached my house. 

I also made a trip to Hamilton, Mass to stay with Caroline's parents. When they heard of my acceptance of the job in Cape Town they insisted on taking me out for dinner. I took a train to the north shore on Monday the 14th. Mickey, Caroline's mom, picked me up and gave me a brief tour of the gorgeous coast and their cozy, very new england, home. 

We ventured to Singing Beach which gets its name for the squeaky noise the sand makes when you step on it. I was told some time back that this noise has something to do with the sand being derived from glaciers, but I never looked into in any further. This also happens to be the place where Caroline and Nick will be wed in June. One of the "cons" to my taking the job in Cape Town is missing this wedding. I was very grateful to have seen the beach club where the ceremony an reception will take place. 

During my stay, I also visited and explored Rockport, Gloucester, Manchester (by the sea) and countless other adorable beach towns along the north shore. For dinner Trip, Caroline's father, met us in town..with flowers for both Mickey and I. So very sweet! The Hargraves were incredibly generous, hospitable, and share in our enthusiasm and respect for Child Life. It was helpful to hear their perspective on Caroline being away from home for so long. It helped me to understand how my own family might be and may feel during my absence. 

We ended the night with a visit from Nick, Caroline's fiance, and rowdy game of backgammon! They also presented me with a journal, a planner, and a book about a Botswana Safari guide for my trip. So incredibly thoughtful! Staying with the Hargraves added a realness to my adventure and connected me further to Caroline and out mission for Child Life and the hospital. I know it must have helped all of them feel more connected as well. Mickey gave me a card and a gift to present to Caroline upon my arrival. A gesture to hopefully ease their last few months apart before Caroline returns home.

Smaller adventures have included spending time with friends and family. I'm beginning to feel the weight of my trip as I consider saying my goodbyes and begining preparations for departure. In situations like this, you realize how many wonderful people are in your life and how much there support and love influences everything you do. It is these people and their undying love that gives me strength and courage to be so adventurous. They are the base on which I stand and allow me to reach great heights.

A Quote from a Disney Short Film Lindsay and I watched:

"Sometimes your up and sometimes your down. 

When you find that your down, well just look around. 

You still got a body, good legs and fine feet.

Get your head in the right place and, hey, you're complete!

...you can reach great heights. In fact, you can soar.

Just get a leg up and you slap it on down.

You find that you're up in what's called the bound.

Bound, bound, and rebound"

Return to Africa

So it looks like I have a good reason to keep this blog open. Not that there hasn't been any events to constitute blogging in the last 4 months or so, I just haven't had the time (or the patience, really) to record them. Let's be honest: there's always blog-worthy news in daniland.

Of course the most exciting news was the addition of Madelyn Grace McCue into my world. She was born on September 1st at 1:03 am. My mom and I remained in the hospital until about 10pm before being convinced that nothing would be happening for a while. Well that little munchkin surprised us all!! She is the most precious thing I've ever seen and I only love her more with each passing day. A couple weeks ago we celebrated her christening. The gown my grandmother made for her was gorgeous and she managed to keep it clean. I can't take credit for those genes, but I might be responsible for her inability to cease crying throughout the ENTIRE ceremony. The girl just wanted to eat!

maddie and her dressmaker

I've also taken a a few vacations in the last months. The first was my 2nd annual trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with my camp peeps. We had picture perfect weather for the entire week and I spent my days running along the beach, boogey boarding, eating great food and mingling with even greater folk. What more could a girl ask for??

me and paula with our personalized boogey boards

My second trip was a weekend getaway to Kansas City, MO. I know; random. But I went to visit Cara, a child life partner in Team South Africa. She arranged a wonderful weekend for us. Her friends were incredibly welcoming and excited to meet me. In between board games, art, touring, delicious food and site seeing, we relived those wonderful memories from Cape Town. Leaving MO was almost like leaving Cape Town all over again! Shame.

me cara and her friend dana at kansas city's annual water fire event

Asside from my classes, a few good books and few hours of work I haven't had much else to keep me busy....that is, until Halloween weekend. It was then that I learned that Caroline's position as Child Life Program Director was not yet filled. Suddenly an idea came into my head, "why don't I do it?!!" to which I immediately replied, "uh, because you have school..and a brand new neice and a plan and it's just crazy to up an move to another CONTINENT for a year."

I spent the following week pondering and contemplating and making lists and considering hypotheticals and talking on the phone and emailing with the staff in SA. It was exactly a week later that a familiar voice spoke up in my head, "Of course you are going to take this job! What on earth could you possibly be debating. This is a dead issue and the answer is undoubtedly, 'GO FOR IT'" So I went for it.

The staff at Connect 1-2-3 were beside themselves with joy...and so was I. It was in the following weeks that I truly realized this was, indeed, my destiny. Everything about felt right and filled me to the brim with happiness. Any thoughts and reminders of South Africa would result in a ridiculous grin spreading across my face. My future was (and still is) more clear than it has ever been. Sister Sara and Caroline have been amazing recievers of my excitement. It is most certainly a good thing that there is a massive ocean separating us because the excitement would surely be the end of one another. Sara offered to pick me up at the airport which stopped me dead in my tracks. Not only is that a sweet jester, but she drove me TO the airport when I left Cape Town. What a wonderful circle.

Today I have confirmed my flight into Cape Town for January 7th, 2009. I will arrive on January 8th at 11:25 Cape Town time (that's 4:25am US time). Sara has offered to "fetch" me from the airport, which is just so sweet. She drove me TO the airport when I left Cape Town so its only appropriate she be the first familiar face upon my arrival. She has also arranged for me to join her to see Freshly Ground at Kirstenbosch that weekend. I am incredibly excited by this as I've been avidly listening to their music and have become a huge fan. So much excitement...so much to do...stay tuned!

Sand Sculptures

the main display

Yesterday I got to spend some time with Jared, a 9 (in August) year old boy I've been babysitting since he was 4. It was the first time I saw him since I left for Africa. We took the T to Revere Beach to view the annual sand sculpting contest. The creations never cease to amaze and impress me! Even though it was overcast and chilly, Jared and I had a great time and even did some sand art of our own.

jared's creation

to my friends in SA

Burn Camp 2009

This past week I was at Burn Camp. Since 2005 I have been spending the 3rd week of July in Union, CT at an overnight summer camp for children with burn injuries. The staff are made up of mostly firefighters. The rest of us are burn nurses, therapists, and burn survivors, to name a few. For one week we come together from Boston, New York, Connecticut, and DC to provide a fun, supportive and safe place for children to be children. Even though it's only one week a year, it is such a big part of my life. That place and those people are incredibly special.

This year was our biggest year with 75 campers. The theme was Disney. I was assigned to group 3 and we named ourselves “The Disney Do-Das”. Myself and 3 other counselors were in charge of 11 10-11 year olds. At night I bunked with the senior girls (15-18 years old). Group 3 was fantastic. The kids were full of energy and fun to hang out with. We had 4 new campers who all, by the end of the week, where sad to leave and couldn’t wait for next year. My senior girls always provide good company around the camp fire at night. We experiment with s’mores and eat more junk than anyone should consume in one week. This year, the new s’more was with Andes mints. They were tasty, but our best discovery to date is peanut butter cups invented 2 years ago. It’s magic in your mouth and sweeping camp sites everywhere.

Mother Nature was on our side for the majority of the week. It rained a few times but we were only rained in once. At the beginning of the week the nights were cold, but got progressively warmer. We had plenty of sunny days to enjoy the lake. My favorite past times include convincing a child to swim out to the dock or to row a canoe for-I mean WITH me out to explore the water and relax in the sun. Though, you can’t expect to relax if there are others out on the water. The children get a big kick out of splashing and tipping other boats. It’s fun, sure, except that the boat needs to then be towed back to shore and there are some very slimy and grassy sections! Elch! I adopted a new adventure for the kids, instead. I allow them to jump out of the boat. This keeps me dry(er) and there is no towing involved. Sometimes they even climb back in to help me row in. Everybody wins!

Other activities include archery, hiking, arts and crafts, field games, firefighter games (with a working engine and actual gear) and a high and low ropes course. I love watching the kids shoot the aarows. Some of them look so small behind the bows! But they never fail to impress me with their efforts.

Firefighter games are like a firefighting version of tug-o-war. The kids gear up and split into two teams; each with a hose attached to the engine. The goal is to aim at a keg hung on a string that stretches across the field. The first team to force the keg to the opposite side wins. The guys love getting behind the hoses and teaching the kids how to use them. The hoses are tremendously heavy and powerful. It, indeed, takes a lot of teamwork and communication.

Ropes is probably my favorite camp activity. The ropes staff are not only highly skilled, but absolutely great with the kids. Watching them work with them is truly inspiring. They promote teamwork and encouragement like no other. My most moving and memorable moments at camp have been on the ropes course. Children face their fears and overcome tremendous feats with the undying support and encouragement from the staff and their peers. Watching a child accomplish something that challenges them is not only humbling, but a true testament that anything is possible, teamwork can move mountains, and that limitations are only in our heads.

I compared camp and south africa months ago in this blog. Even though the time spent at each place is vastly different, they each provided me with a transient moment in time of intense significance. In each experience I am challenged both physically and mentally, I work along side truly dedicated, caring, and benevolent people. In each experience I am welcomed into a world that teaches me about myself by showing me the strength and beauty in others. Each experience (in a different way) removes me from the outside world and into a much smaller world. One that is filled with incredible, life-changing moments and fosters the most remarkable relationships. The end is always difficult. Whether its 10 days or 3 months, it's always a struggle to get both feet back into the real world again. But I take with me the lessons, the wisdom and the relationships I feel so very fortunate to have been granted.

Hooray For Independence and Hot Dogs!

my first (and long awaited) summer hot dog

What a wonderful time to return to the U.S. I must admit, however, that the 4th is seriously down played. Granted, I didn't have much chance for exposure given that I returned only two days before and was operating as only half of a human, but I was hoping to be deeply moved or maybe even caused to shed a tear or two. I was neither. In fact, it never even really felt like the 4th. I think the recent weather had a lot to do with it. It's hard to get exited for a summery holiday when the weather is less than cooperative. I've got high hopes for July!

Nonetheless, I had a fantastic weekend. I headed up north to the Lake Winnepesauke region to spend time with my dad's family. He and my aunt each have a place up there. On the ride up I listened to my South African music. During that time I felt one foot land on the ground. I had the music up loud as I drove through the familiar streets (back on the RIGHT side of the road). The music was completely Cape Town to me. The sights in front of me were home. The two worlds were bridged, and what I felt can be best descibed as completion. I literally felt my body fill up as I drove. It filled me until my eyes began to water with tears. And I was happy. The music was the tangible notion that Africa has come with me. Even here in rurual america, Africa is keeping me company and moving forward with me.

We spent the weekend boating, hiking, BBQing, playing Blokus and relaxing in the sun. It felt amazing to feel the sting of summer on my cheeks, nose, and shoulders. My dad and I hiked Bald Knob on Sunday. My dad is familiar with many of the trails in the neighborhood and he led me on an 8 mile trek through the woods and along some waterfalls. We had an amazing view of the entire lake from the peak and we mapped out the surrounding land, islands, and our neighborhood. We also found wild blueberries which we took home for pancakes! The waterfalls on the way down were gushing from the recent rains. With the sun coming in through the trees, the sight was magnificent.

Hiking was a great bridge from SA to USA (interesting how they are only one letter off). It connected me so much to SA because hiking was such a big part of my time there. At the same time, I felt grounded here at home because the hike was so completely different; so completely New Hampshire. The smell of the forrest, the mountains, the lake, and the town was so familiar to me.

Spending time with my dad and family helped me to appreciate my return home. I enjoyed sharing my South African experiences with them and I always enjoy the company of people I care so much about. Anyone who knows me would appreciate my behaviors after only 10 minutes with my dad's family. We spent the entire weekend sporatically in search for someone's keys, wallet, or cell phone. When we weren't doing that, we were reminding each other to remember them. My family is also good for laughs...most often at the expense of someone else (and their missing or forgotten item). The bad news: my dad turned 49 this week and he is in the process of recieving his replacement cards and IDs from the wallet he lost last week-so I guess it's not something I can expect to 'grow out of'. The good news: I'm a Surprenant!!

Home Sweet Home

kyla, my puppy

7/3/09
I am writing this to the sound of a lawn mower, my puppy at my feet, and the summer sun breaking through the clouds. Summer! It is great to be home and I have cherished the countless phone calls and welcome homes. I am excited for an American 4th of July Barbeque and all the hot dogs I can eat. I can’t wait to leave for camp next week, to see Abbie’s ever growing belly, and to enjoy the remaining long, warm summer days. But part of me is still in Africa. Part of my yearns to see Table Mtn and surround myself by the most beautifull accent in the world. I’ve caught up on sleep, begun to unpack, sifted through my souvenirs, and shared a number of stories already. I have so many memories both tangible and not. I move on from here with a better understanding of myself, the world, amazing experiences and some fabulous new friends. During my time in Cape Town I kept a list of things I hope I never forget. They are experiences or sights that I found so moving that I wanted to have them to call on when I was really missing Cape Town or found myself slipping away from all that I gained there.

Things I Hope I Never Forget:
The view of Camp’s Bay from the top of Table Mountain
The 180 view of Lion’s Head
How small I feel next to a mountain
The Bush Sunset
Star gazing in the bush (and how to find true south)
The sound of Lions around the campfire
The peaceful sounds of African Birds
Table Mountain…in all it’s glory
-the views from the top
-running the base trails (the views, the birds, and solitude)
The courage and resiliency of children…and nature
The sunset on the waves
The accomplishment of a challenging hike
Running the x-treme 10k
To break for tea
The Soulful Eyes of the Children
How to make my own space
How to live in the moment
Awesome African Skies
The overwhelming vulnerability nature gives me-and that it’s the happiest I’ve ever been
Kate’s Yogic Advice
Sleeping with Ellies and how graceful they are
Watching a baby elephant discover the world around her
Watching the Sunrise from 1304
The Accent

And to also help me when I’m down…

Thing’s I’m NOT Going to Miss:
The Bus
Waiting for the Bus
Sitting on the Bus
Riding the Bus
Getting off the Bus
Toppers
Taking a cab everywhere because it’s too unsafe to walk
The walls that surround every house
The weather
The elevators in Perspectives
Beggars/solicitors on the streets
Skyrove wireless internet
Minibuses
Cape Town Drivers
Skyrove! Grr!
The Laundry Room in Perspectives
Windy Nights
Minibuses

An African Blessing

May the African sun always shine on you

May the rhythm of the drums beat deeply in your heart:

And may the vision of its glory fill you with joy and

May the memory of Africa be with you always

America Or Bust

7/1/09
I started my morning with roibos in my favorite chair watching the sun come. It’s almost exactly how I spent my first hours in Cape Town. The sunrise is just as beautiful and awesome as it was on the first day. I got ready for work every morning to that sunrise and now I was witnessing my last...at least the last sunrise of THIS trip.

In between cleaning, organizing and packing, I returned the beetle, said my goodbyes and attended my final yoga class. I got the most I could out of the class, not knowing when my next yoga class would be. As the day went on, the reality of my situation sank in. A lot of it derived from the idea of calling a taxi. The emptiness of that was almost unbearable. I got in touch with Sister Sara and she graciously agreed to drive me to the airport. I felt 90% better about leaving. Just before 5, Sarah, Pippa and I gathered my load and headed to the connect office. I dropped off my keys and phone and said my goodbyes. From there we went outside to meet Sara who was already there waiting with her trunk open. Once in the car, I was feeling a heavy and almost lightheaded. I realized at that moment how truly horribly taking a cab would have been. Sitting with a stranger at that moment and left to my own thoughts or superficial conversation would have been painful. Instead, Sara provided laughs conversation and even encouragement. We talked more about the hospital and the children. I leave RCCH behind knowing they are in the very best of hands. With Caroline and Sister Sara on duty I have no reservations that the children will be provided for and entertained.

I fully expected my suitcase to be over weight….and it was. 13ks overweight! Fortunately (and to my grateful surprise) it only cost me R353. I also earned R589 back in taxes. But things can only go so smoothly for so long in DaniLand. To my shock and dismay, I looked into one of my bags to find a connect cell phone in it! I knew it wasn’t mine, but HOW…WHEN??!! I looked through it and realized it was Sarah’s. HOW…WHEN?!?!! I called Lucy’s phone (which I knew was in our apt) and finally got in touch with Sarah. She was just as confused as I was. I asked around the airport and there was nothing I could do at that point. We would not have enough time for Sarah o come retrieve it herself so I was to take it all the way back to the states only to mail straight back to SA. How frustrating!! How Dani!!!

Also, I REALLY need to learn how to pack better. I just had stuff everywhere. It was abundant and heavy. By the time I settled into my seat on the plane, I hade stuff above me, below me, on my lap and at my feet. At least all the excitement was enough to keep me distracted from all the people and places and things I would be leaving behind. My aim at this point was to maintain my Cape Town way of thinking: presently and forwardly. I was excited to see SO many people, then there’s summer, the 4th, Abbie’s Baby and Burn Camp. I would focus on those things. Cape Town had taught me to do this very well. I only hope I am able to take it with me and not leave it behind…along with lord knows what else…

My Final Full Day In Cape Town

6/30/09
I drove Annelise to work this morning so she wouldn’t have to take a cab on her own. Sara sent me an SMS asking to get together before I left. I was more than happy to accept the offer and we arranged for her to fetch me from my apt in the afternoon. I decided to compile her a CD of some “American” music that I knew she wouldn’t have heard of. When she picked me up, she presented me with a small bag. Inside was not only a “South African” CD, but a beaded bracelet (like the ones seen in every shop and market at every corner of Cape Town). Her gifts couldn’t have been more touching. I love new music and I would take each of these things home with me as a warm reminder of the wonderful people and experiences in Cape Town.

Sara and I drove up Rhodes Memorial (Rhodes Mem) to UCT’s upper campus. Following suit to the prior days, the weather was gorgeous and we sat on a rock wall that overlooked the Rondebosch side of the city, Devil’s Peak Behind us. I found out that I still have much to learn about Cape Town! Using the city spanned out in front of us, Sarah showed me UCT’s campus, her neighborhood, and other random facts about the city. We chatted on for a while, talking a lot about where we thought our next step should lead us. We both share a love for change, adventure, and a reckless inability to settle. She asked me, “What’s wrong with us?” and we had a good laugh. But the answer is nothing. I’ve thought a lot of times, ‘what am I searching for?’ ‘what is it exactly that I want?’ and analyzed my life to find "my issue". I only know what I DON’T want. I DON’T want to settle and I DON’T want to ever stop learning and exploring all the world has to offer. So, no, there is nothing wrong with us. We just have an insatiable hunger for adventure and knowledge; to make the most out of life. I think we both recognize how MUCH is out there to see and do...and we won’t be satisfied until we've experienced it all.

cape town

Caroline arrived this evening. She and nick are staying up near Kloof St until an apartment opens up for them in Perspectives. I took the beetle up to visit them. It was so nice to see a familiar face!! The three of us wandered her new neighborhood and settled on a small pub restaurant, Miller’s Thumb. We caught up on the last month and enjoyed a relaxing dinner. Caroline invited the group of us to her wedding in June and then to present with her at the Child Life conference the following weekend. I was truly honored to be invited to both events. She and Nick are both remarkable people, and they couldn’t be more deserving of the happiness they have found. Caroline, even though younger, is truly an inspiration. She is driven and persistent. Our program is the living, breathing, proof of her hard work and dedication. We have all played such an integral part in bringing up this program and contributing to its success, but it was Caroline who planted the seed, Caroline who built a strong foundation, and Caroline who continues to watch over it. I truly hope I can continue to contribute to this program and forever hold the relationships I’ve formed and the experiences I’ve gained on the front of my bookshelf.

Love Your Life

6/28/09
We woke up Sunday to clouds and rain. The elephants proved to be pretty good roommates. We heard them every now and then, but were able to get a good night’s sleep. After a delicious breakfast at the park restaurant, we went into the field for one last encounter before hitting the road. The skies cleared the closer we got to Cape Town. We stopped along the N2 for a quick lunch and souvenir shopping. We were back at Perspectives by 6pm.

I changed quickly and headed back in the car to visit the hospital. I was to work with the 7 year old patient scheduled for theatre the next day. I also planned the visit with Sister Sara’s night shift. Since she had been on nights for the last few weeks, I hadn’t gotten to see much of her, much less say goodbye. Thankfully, this was the case because when I got to the hospital, I learned that the patient’s theatre was (again!) canceled and rescheduled. This time, for Novemeber. Caroline, she’s all yours :).

me and sister sara

I spent about an hour on C2 sitting with Sara and the boys. Sara, being my age, has been a wonderful person to work with and get to know. Not only skilled in her profession, but so attentive to the children. Their appreciation shows in their affection for her. Sara is currently debating her next move (job, apt etc) and I know all too well that position. I am confident she will make the right decision and wish her all the best.

6/29/09
With my final days in Cape Town upon me, I wanted to make sure I fit in a few of my favorite activities. I went into work to say my final goodbyes before heading home to start wrapping up. I got a new suitcase from Wooly’s and brought it home to start filling it up. Afterwards, I headed to Lion’s Head for a hike. Even though it was my 7th time up, it never ceases to awe me. The mountains, the ocean, the city, and the hike itself make Lion’s Head one of my favorite things about Cape Town. I’d my MOST favorite if there weren’t so many things that I loved about the city.

Knysna Elephant Park

6/27/09
Sarah and I planned to check out the Garden Route this weekend. The Garden Route follows the coast of South Africa. Along the way tourists will find a plethora of things to do. The most popular are the sky diving and bungy jumping. We agreed to keep our trip a little simpler. I had asked Sister Sara at RCCH what the one single best thing to do on the garden route was. She didn’t even hesitate to say Knysna and the Kysna Elephant park. Since her suggestion some of the newer connect kids had done the garden route and raved about the park. We booked a room and a car and set out early Saturday morning. The drive was gorgeous…at first. Mountains, fields, and more sheep than you could ever dream of. Sheep were everywhere. Little ones, big ones, and even rams. The babies were adorable! But after about 30 mins of field and sheep, it just got old. The fields and sheep stretched for miiiiles (kiloooometers) with no sign of civilization. About 3 hours into our trip we stumbled upon a farm/restaurant. The weather was gorgeous so we sat outside an ate with wonderful views of fields and mountains.

We finally arrived in Knysna a little after 4pm (after over 6 hours of driving). Knysna is home to 15 orphaned and rescued ellies. The elephants are well looked after, trained, and cared for around the clock. At night, the elephants are led into a massive warehouse type of building which houses a giant pen for each of them. To our surprise, our room was a loft above these pens!! Our room was amazing. It had an almost ski lodge feel to it, with (classy) elephant décor and paraphernalia throughout. Our door opened directly onto the loft which overlooked the ellies. There was comfy furniture, tea, and the most fantastic view of the elephants. We dropped our things and headed out to the field with our guide. We had been told that the newest addition to the herd was only 7 days old! 7 days!! As we walked onto the field we could see the elephants tramping along. I noticed a very small ellie and asked if THAT was the baby. The guide laughed and said, “No, no. He is 2 years old.” It already seemed so tiny! He instructed me to look closer at the herd. As we got closer and the elephants continued to move around I saw the tiniest little figure underneath a massive elephant. It reached up to about just above her knee and never stayed more than 2 feet away from it’s mother. It actually spent the majority of the time directly underneath her. It was the most precious scene. The ellies were led over to u where we were able to feed and interact with them. We were instructed to hold the food (which was ¼ pieces of carrot, pineapple, and squash) in an open palm. The elephants would then lift it our of our hand. Or they would present their trunks to us and we would drop the food in. Their breath was incredibly warm. It was amazing to watch them maneuver their trunks so closely. What a fantastic appendage! The trunks literally mimick an arm (fully equipped with fingers!). The ellies lift, twist, pull, search, sniff, and discover with them. I’ve never been so close to so many elephants. They are MASSIVE. And they love affection. I was getting poked and explored with trunks from every angle. The little ones came up to about my chest and the tiniest little baby, Bibi, which means little girl, came up to my waist. She was about the size of my on all fours. That sounds big for 7 days but when you compare her to full grown elephants, its super tiny! It was a joy to watch her move around and explore the world. She reminded me a lot of a human toddler; fumbling with her steps and learning how to use her trunk, even almost loosing her balance a few times. It was ADORABLE and I was instantly in love. We then walked back to the pens with the elephants. The field experience was overwhelming, awesome, a little scary and deeply moving.

sarah in our loft above the ellies

For dinner, Sarah and I went into town. We stopped at the first sight of restaurants and walked until we found something we liked. We settled on a small place called Harrie B’s. The majority of it’s patrons were in the bar section watching a live band. We sat in the dinner section, and were the only customers there. Our waiter must have assumed we felt left out by this and insisted and showing us his magic tricks as alternative entertainment. It started when he asked about what we were doing in Cape Town blah blah and what we studied (were studying). I, in turn, asked him what he studied. When he said “magic” I laughed. I thought he was kidding. But then he continued to say he’d been studying it for 8 years. Oops. Sorry dude. His tricks were nothing great and actually began to border on weird. But at least we had a good laugh!

After dinner we showered and got comfy. I needed to grab something from the car and when I did, I was invited down to get a closer encounter with the ellies. After taking some pictures of Bibi, the keeper asked me if I wanted to feed the other (older) babies. I, of course, was happy to. He handed me a 2 liter coke bottle with a massive nipple on the top. It was filled with a milk formula similar to one given to human toddlers. The babies used their trunks to hold the bottle up and guzzled the entire thing in about 10 seconds. Afterwards, we sat out on our loft with tea and chocolate to watch our new friends settle in for the night. The elephants were either eating or sleeping. I was surprised at how graceful elephants lay themselves down. The go first on their back knees, then down on their elbows before slowly lowering their heads and backs to the ground beside them. The baby was actually the least graceful, plopping herself down whenever she got tired. SO CUTE!

2 year old ellie

My Not So Last Day

6/26/09
Today was meant to be my last day at RCCH. It was a particularly busy day. The theatres that were lacking yesterday, were made up for today. Between mask inductions and dressing changes, I said my goodbyes and thanked the staff for their cooperation and hospitality. Near the end of the day, a past patient showed up. This is the patient whom I was scheduled to work with over a month ago. She has a history of several anxieties surrounding the hospital. She never turned up for her appointment with us and no one had heard much more beyond that…until today. I nearly hit the floor when she told me that her theatre was on Monday. Of course. How could I possibly ignore this? I spoke with Jenny and we agreed that I would go to the hospital Sunday night and accompany her to theatre on Monday morning. The pain management team feels strongly about working through this child’s anxieties as an alternative to simply sedating her every time she has theatre. I would not be a respectable child life specialist if I did not only agree with this, but do everything in my power to make that happen. Most child life specialists would give their entire bubble supply for that kind of support and advocacy from the medical team.

After work, Sarah and I took our laptops to a café around the corner, Special Gallery 38. We wanted reliable internet and food…and the options at mugged, the café in the lobby of our building, are getting old. We enjoyed coffee and sandwiches among beautiful and works of art.

This evening we had dinner at Cauveau near Kloof st. It is our last night all together because Lucy leaves for Malaui this weekend and doesn’t return until the end of July. Pippa and Lucy’s friend, James (who is here visiting her this week) joined us. We ordered sushi, tappas and wonderful desserts. The food was good, but the servings weren’t nearly big enough. The service was also terribly slow, even by South African standards. Nevertheless, we had a wonderful time. Lucy has been an amazing roommate. Sarah has only made a great addition. We are all laidback and get along really well. Even the most relaxing of evenings are entertaining and there hasn’t been even a hint of an issue. Listening to our friends talk about their awful roommates and apartment drama, we know how lucky we are and thank each other daily. Lucy and I have made a deal that she will intermittently mail me Cadbury chocolates and I peanut butter M&M’s to her. The three of us also plan to visit the other in her respective cities. A 1304 reunion!!

Mother Hen

6/25/09
Today there were 3 people “shadowing” Child Life at the hospital. Two connect girls interning in anaesthesia were instructed to observe us as an alternative to medicine. Dayna (I just learned today that it’s spelt with a Y) has asked to come in and help out this week. I chose today unaware that the other 2 girls would also be with us. Typically, Thursdays are busy theatre days so I knew there would plenty for all of us to do…except that this particular Thursday was abnormally slow. Lauren and Kate did, however, get the opportunity to see me prepare 2 children and accompany 1 child to theatre. Dayna did a fabulous job of entertaining any child in need of some extra attention. Even still, what a mission! The three girls are fabulous and super helpful and Annalise stepped up and also did a great job of delegating, but it was still a lot of work. I suppose it was a saving grace that the hospital wasn’t busy. Doing both might have been the end of me. One of the girls referred to me as “the mother hen”. This got my attention because I’ve never played that role. There has always been someone who has seniority over me, or is just plan more mature than me. Especially now that my coworkers are gone, connect kids are all so much younger than me. The typical connect volunteer is either in between semesters or interning as part of their major. For the first time, when talking about pop culture, I am on the older end. For the first time, I feel legitimately old. The shift, for me, is startling but not necessarily negative. It is simply: life.

After work, Sarah, Dayna and I took the bug to Kalk Bay. Neither of them had been before and I jump at any chance to return. I convinced them to have lunch at Olympia Café (where I had my most fav salad in the world: feta, beetroot and pine nut) and then visit the bakery for (the most delicious cup of) coffee and dessert. I was thrilled to hear that they mimicked my love for both the town as well as the food. We explored the shops and the harbor before heading to Muizenberg to take pictures of the famous guest houses that brightly line the shore. I love these beach towns. Cape Town is surrounded by them. The easy access to the beaches and mountains are at the very top of my list of things I will miss about this city.

harbor walk in kalk bay

LESSON #19: A QUOTE I FOUND IN KALK BAY...“A blessing from a place of safety and comfort from which you may remember who you are, where you came from, and what you came here to do.”

Nearing the End

6/23/09
My final week at RCCH is slipping between my fingers. There is a lot of lose ends to tie up and I am preparing to say goodbye. Even though I’m very aware of my impending departure, it seems surreal. I know I will find my way back here someday. This place is too beautiful to and too refreshing to stay away for too long. I anticipate my goodbyes at RCCH to be difficult. Maybe not immediately, but I will miss them all dearly once I am home.

craig's drip demonstration

(part of a book I put together to prepare children getting a drip placed)

We got home super early from work today since there wasn’t much going on. I went to an early yoga class. It was a great class. I think it was my best one yet. I flowed gracefully through the poses and felt strong. It’s amazing how present I can be with Kate’s guidance. That skill has been useful during my time here in Cape Town. So much is happening here; at RCCH and among my friends. There’s a lot of future for me to dwell on: leaving cape town and the direction of my life. Maintaining a sense of presence has helped me remain calm in a chaotic environment that is constantly pushing me forward. Yoga has helped me appreciate this city and my experience so much more. Paired with the sheer beauty of the landscapes and culture, it’s almost divine. Kate’s words imbedded in my mind, I floated home.

dayna's yogi impression on lion's head

To surmise the lesson: The yoga in the studio is the easy yoga. It’s the yoga outside the studio that is difficult. Dealing with the stresses and chaos of life is where the challenge lies. When we can take our practice in the studio and apply it to real life, we are successful and life’s trials seem less daunting. Be in the moment. Be in tune with your body and respond the way it wants you to. Yoga is a paradigm: the positions are most important part of the practice, but they ultimately don’t matter. What matters is the peacefulness that comes afterwards; the recovery from the workout and the way your body responds to it. When I leave yoga, I feel solid and grounded yet light as a feather.

A New Look

6/22/09
I have been considering chopping my hair for some time. For whatever reason I had yet to follow through. The past few weeks my hair has become unbearable. I break at least one elastic a day, it’s getting too long to stay up, it’s thick and hot and I’m constantly finding hair everywhere! So after work today, I walked into my apartment, thought for a moement, walked out and then straight to the salon next door. I told the woman at the desk that I wanted it all off. She looked shocked and directed me to Nicholas, a quintessential male stylist. We sat down and talked about my lifestyle, what I was looking for and browsed through countless photos before deciding on a style. After cutting off the majority of my hair, he led me to the sinks. There I got a full shampoo, a moisturizing treatment, and a 10 minute massage. Then Nicholas really got to work. The result: stunning! He worked magic. The price: R250 (about 30 dollars)!!

I’m falling more in love with my haircut as the day progresses. It’s so light and easy. I still do a double take at my reflection and am surprised when I reach back there, but it’s super fun and I look nearly my own age! Even though I was a bit anxious, I never doubted my decision. I knew this is what I wanted. I considered waiting until I got home, but what’s the sense in waiting? Besides, I’m taking so much of Cape Town with me, it’s nice to leave a little something of myself behind.

Happy Birthday Pippa (and LMJ!)

6/20/09
This morning we woke up to a movie being filmed on top of the building next door. For at least four hours they shot the same scene: A guy walks out onto the rooftop. Four hours.

I ran my trail at Table Mountain and took care of some admin in the morning. Around noon Lucy, Pippa and I went to the waterfront. Pippa turns 21 today and she wanted a new dress for going out this evening. We had lunch at Hildebrand in the sun by the water. We shared a bottle of sparkling wine. Lucy told me that Champagne comes from The Champagne region in France, and is the only place it originates from. Thus, true champagne is so expensive everywhere because of importing prices. Most bubbly drinks are actually “sparkling wine”, but are essentially the same thing (just much cheaper). I guess I knew that, but never really thought about or paid much attention.

Back home, we got ready to celebrate Pippa’s birthday properly. We started with Champagne..sparkling whine actually…and cake on the roof. Her roommates decorated with balloons and banners. From their a whole bunch of us had dinner at Saigon on Kloof st. We were pretty obnoxious by nature, and only made worse by Lucy’s prompting “Happy Birthday” every 10 minutes or so. Luckily, their weren’t many other patrons. Saigon is a Vietnamese restaurant. The food was decent and I was served the most beautifully presented sushi I’ve ever seen.

that leaf in the corner is the wasabi

From dinner, we migrated to Long St. We started at Zula where a band was playing. I was introduced to a “springbok”. Not only an antelope and mascot of the rugby league here in South Africa, but also a delicious shot. It has a mint chocolate flavor. There was a band playing at Zula, but when they finished we moved on to the next venue. We walked up about 2 blocks to Marvel, famous for it’s dancing. I had heard this was the place to be for dancing as they have the best music. What this place was lacking, however, was a dance floor. In fact, for a place synonymous with dancing, it wasn’t a very accommodating venue at all. The front was very narrow; lined by a bar and a row of booths. The back area was a game room. I was about to ask why and where people would dance here when Lucy answered my question. She got up on the booths and began dancing. After a few moments, she reached for Pippa who joined her. Before long, we were all up there and every booth was occupied with dancers. We had such a blast. It was nice to be off the hot and over crowded floor, you would never see a scene like that at any club in the states.

Lion's Head at Sunset

6/19/09
Annalise called me this morning to say that she had been up sick all night. Shame. Dana was going into Sara Fox today so at least I had a carpool partner! Except that I got about 400 feet from Red Cross before I realized that she wasn’t going to Red Cross...and I didn't exactly know where Sara Fox was. After driving around town and trying to call sara fox, we finally called Gabby who led us in the right direction. That beetle has seen it all.

After work Dana and I agreed to hike Lion’s Head for sunset. She hadn’t hiked it yet, and I hadn't yet seen the sunset from there. We asked around and ended up with a group of 5: Myself, Dana, Chiristine (her roommate), Sarah and her dad. Dana was willing to try the chain portion of the hike (straight up instead of around), but the others backed out. She started up and almost reconsidered, but I coached her through it and she did fabulous.

We made it to the top in just under an hour. We had enough time for a quick picnic, and a photo shoot before finding a comfortable spot to watch the sun go down. While we were taking pictures, I saw an opportunity for an amazing shot. Dana was sitting on a rock with the sun setting behind her. I moved slightly to the right and had her perfectly enough line to have the sun divinely silhouetting her. The result was breathtaking and we each took a turn outdoing each other on poses. I think I won with my Airplane, a yoga balance pose…