Marche Funerabe - Lento
For Papa, who promises me that he reads my blog regularly: I am listening to Chopin as I write this evening. As with many aspects of my life, I eagerly await your comments on my musical selection. It was lovely to talk with you and Grandma this afternoon; I am glad you are both well. :D
As I have long ago promised, I am working on a post centred around my position at NMCF. It is surprisingly difficult to sum up the project, but it will be done.
This past week I have caught a South African stomach bug. Erg. I had to refrain from traveling to Swaziland this weekend (which is such a pity as Swaziland makes me smile like few other places I've been). I have had some interesting moments the past few days though:
Friday, September 9, 2005:
I stood in Nelson Mandela's office. He had just left for the day when I showed up at the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Though retired, Madiba keeps his office there. I was meeting Jeremy, a Canadian who interns with the Foundation. He gave me a tour of the offices. The photos, gifts and paraphernalia were impressive. The most impressive part of the tour though was when Jeremy brought me into Madiba's office: on an end table was a lamp made out of popsicle sticks. It is lovely that Nelson Mandela keeps such an item so close to him. I can only imagine a grandson or daughter has made it for him.
Saturday, September 10, 2005:
I had been given Jack Milne's telephone number. Jack was my second host father, and a man so interesting I am keen to write his biography. On this day, I was eager to find his ex-wife, Dizzy. Success. Diz and I met for dinner and caught up on all of our news. She is doing very well, I am pleased to report. It felt lovely to have my dear Diz back. Being 10 years older than myself, Dizzy was always more of a close friend than a host-mother. It was also so lovely to have someone to talk to who could understand how easy it was to be captivated by Jack to the point of living a very absurd life for my time with him.
Thursday, September 15, 2005:
Microfinance Workshop in Bramfontein. I drove myself downtown. I DROVE IN DOWNTOWN JOHANNESBURG! It was exhilarating and my first time (I had only been driven by others prior to Thursday). When I left, rather late that evening, I knew that I could accomplish anything because I had driven myself out of downtown at night.
The workshop was enlightening. Our CEO, Sibongile (Bongi) Mkhabela gave the most interesting speech, and I am attempting to capture all the details in my upcoming work related post. She is the most insightful, impressive woman I have ever met. I am proud to work for her.
Friday, September 16, 2005:
AM: "Where is Gandolf?" We all noticed that we had not seen the cat in a while. He often gets locked in the garage. We heard a meow when we opened the garage door, but no cat appeared. When I went in further, I noticed that he was in the car. I HAD LOCKED THE CAT IN THE CAR ON THURSDAY NIGHT!!! (I swear I didn't do it on purpose; Gandolf is a bit of a Magical Mister Mistofelees, and can seemingly apparate! I didn't even see him in the garage on Thursday night, let alone in the car!!)
If cats could lift their middle claw, Gandolf would have done so to me in that moment. He spent the rest of the day safe by Patty's side.
My car now smells like cat pee. I suppose it serves me right.
Sunday, September 18, 2005:
After having finally recovered from the stomach bug (with much thanks to Patty who discovered and implemented my mother's BRAT diet), I was back to myself. Laundry, cleaning, studying all done, I met Diz for afternoon tea. We took David, her son, now 9 years old, to the Spur, which has an impressive play zone for kids: the usual McDonald's type jungle gym and one of those delightful blow-up bouncing gyms. One thing I love about South Africa (though this is eroding quickly) is the lack of rules. I WAS ALLOWED IN THE PLAY ZONE!! I had too much fun bouncing with David and climbing through the jungle gym! Yay!! David had much fun teasing me that I could possibly get stuck in the slide or passageways. I swear my father had a hand in raising that boy!
As I have long ago promised, I am working on a post centred around my position at NMCF. It is surprisingly difficult to sum up the project, but it will be done.
This past week I have caught a South African stomach bug. Erg. I had to refrain from traveling to Swaziland this weekend (which is such a pity as Swaziland makes me smile like few other places I've been). I have had some interesting moments the past few days though:
Friday, September 9, 2005:
I stood in Nelson Mandela's office. He had just left for the day when I showed up at the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Though retired, Madiba keeps his office there. I was meeting Jeremy, a Canadian who interns with the Foundation. He gave me a tour of the offices. The photos, gifts and paraphernalia were impressive. The most impressive part of the tour though was when Jeremy brought me into Madiba's office: on an end table was a lamp made out of popsicle sticks. It is lovely that Nelson Mandela keeps such an item so close to him. I can only imagine a grandson or daughter has made it for him.
Saturday, September 10, 2005:
I had been given Jack Milne's telephone number. Jack was my second host father, and a man so interesting I am keen to write his biography. On this day, I was eager to find his ex-wife, Dizzy. Success. Diz and I met for dinner and caught up on all of our news. She is doing very well, I am pleased to report. It felt lovely to have my dear Diz back. Being 10 years older than myself, Dizzy was always more of a close friend than a host-mother. It was also so lovely to have someone to talk to who could understand how easy it was to be captivated by Jack to the point of living a very absurd life for my time with him.
Thursday, September 15, 2005:
Microfinance Workshop in Bramfontein. I drove myself downtown. I DROVE IN DOWNTOWN JOHANNESBURG! It was exhilarating and my first time (I had only been driven by others prior to Thursday). When I left, rather late that evening, I knew that I could accomplish anything because I had driven myself out of downtown at night.
The workshop was enlightening. Our CEO, Sibongile (Bongi) Mkhabela gave the most interesting speech, and I am attempting to capture all the details in my upcoming work related post. She is the most insightful, impressive woman I have ever met. I am proud to work for her.
Friday, September 16, 2005:
AM: "Where is Gandolf?" We all noticed that we had not seen the cat in a while. He often gets locked in the garage. We heard a meow when we opened the garage door, but no cat appeared. When I went in further, I noticed that he was in the car. I HAD LOCKED THE CAT IN THE CAR ON THURSDAY NIGHT!!! (I swear I didn't do it on purpose; Gandolf is a bit of a Magical Mister Mistofelees, and can seemingly apparate! I didn't even see him in the garage on Thursday night, let alone in the car!!)
If cats could lift their middle claw, Gandolf would have done so to me in that moment. He spent the rest of the day safe by Patty's side.
My car now smells like cat pee. I suppose it serves me right.
Sunday, September 18, 2005:
After having finally recovered from the stomach bug (with much thanks to Patty who discovered and implemented my mother's BRAT diet), I was back to myself. Laundry, cleaning, studying all done, I met Diz for afternoon tea. We took David, her son, now 9 years old, to the Spur, which has an impressive play zone for kids: the usual McDonald's type jungle gym and one of those delightful blow-up bouncing gyms. One thing I love about South Africa (though this is eroding quickly) is the lack of rules. I WAS ALLOWED IN THE PLAY ZONE!! I had too much fun bouncing with David and climbing through the jungle gym! Yay!! David had much fun teasing me that I could possibly get stuck in the slide or passageways. I swear my father had a hand in raising that boy!
posted by Jana at 9:21 PM
8 Comments:
Cat tormentor ;) Carrie T.O.
It was an accident!! An ACCIDENT, I tell you!!!
And Carrie, your monkey is on its way.
Sweet- I am getting tired of having to tie my own shoes! Carrie
That wasn't the stomach flu, it was the cats revenge! Nancy TO
Nancy! Hello!! You could be right; I wouldn't doubt that this cat could conjure up such an illness!!
Hey Jana what is the deal with you and cats?
And where are those pictures of you cooking up hippo steaks and neutering girafes?
In fact I couldn't find any pitures at all.
Ed T.O.
Jana...u know you locked the cat in the car on purpose! LOL...just kidding! That's a funny story! I think u might just fall in love with these furry creatures eventually and become a Ace Ventura type character :-)
Love, Kris
No, she might end up enjoying cats, but she'll never become as freaky as Ace Ventura.. :)
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