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.